avert
v.v. to prevent something bad from happening. It can also mean to turn your eyes away from something you do not want to see.
v. to prevent or ward off an undesirable occurrence; alternatively, to turn away one's eyes or thoughts from a specific object. Transitive in both senses, requiring a direct object.
He had to avert his eyes from the bright light.
The diplomatic mission worked through the night to avert a full-scale trade war between the two nations.
By implementing strict safety protocols and conducting regular drills, the plant manager managed to avert a potential disaster when the cooling system malfunctioned.
From Middle English averten, adverten, from Old French avertir (“turn, direct, avert; turn the attention, make aware”), from Latin āvertere, from ad + vertō (“to turn”).
The verb is transitive and takes a direct object. Often used with 'eyes', 'gaze', or abstract nouns like 'disaster', 'crisis', or 'catastrophe'.