avert
 /əˈvɚt/  verb  , averts, avert·ed, avert·ing [  + obj  ]
  1 : to turn (your eyes, gaze, etc.) away or aside
   She had to avert her eyes [=to look away] at the sight of the accident.
   with averted eyes/gaze/glances
  2 : to prevent (something bad) from happening
   He sped up and averted an accident.
   The diplomatic talks narrowly averted a war.
   an attempt to avert a strike at the plant