1. (

• debar ,
• forefend ,
• forfend ,
• obviate ,
• deflect ,
• avert ,
• head_off ,
• stave_off ,
• fend_off ,
• avoid ,
• ward_off

) prevent the occurrence of; prevent from happening; "Let's avoid a confrontation"; "head off a confrontation"; "avert a strike" ;

2. (

• avert ,
• turn_away ,

) turn away or aside; "They averted their eyes when the King entered" ;