What is the meaning of averting?

noun

• The act of preventing something from occurring.
  • usage: "averting danger was his responsibility"
• The act of turning yourself (or your gaze) away.
  • usage: "averting her gaze meant that she was angry"
  • synonyms: aversion

verb

• Prevent the occurrence of; prevent from happening.
  • usage: "Let's avoid a confrontation"; "head off a confrontation"; "avert a strike"
  • synonyms: debar, forefend, forfend, obviate, deflect, avert, head off, stave off, fend off, avoid, ward off
• Turn away or aside.
  • usage: "They averted their eyes when the King entered"
  • synonyms: avert, turn away