Avert vs. Divert: What's the Difference?
Edited by Aimie Carlson || By Harlon Moss || Updated on December 11, 2023
Avert means to turn away or prevent; Divert means to change direction or focus.
Key Differences
Avert often implies an action taken to prevent an undesirable outcome. For instance, averting one's gaze to avoid seeing something unpleasant. Divert, on the other hand, involves redirecting something towards a different course or purpose, such as diverting traffic to a detour.
Avert is generally used in the context of preventing something negative, like averting a crisis, while divert is neutral and can refer to any change in direction, such as diverting funds to a new project.
Avert can signify a proactive measure to avoid harm or inconvenience, like averting potential problems through careful planning. Divert can imply a more passive shift, such as a river being diverted by a natural obstacle.
In the emotional context, avert can mean avoiding a direct interaction or confrontation, as in averting one’s eyes from someone’s gaze. Divert, in contrast, might refer to shifting someone’s attention or emotions to something else, like diverting one's mind from stress.
Avert is about prevention and avoidance, primarily used in negative or neutral contexts. Divert, conversely, suggests a redirection, often neutral or positive, and is more about altering course than preventing outcomes.
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Comparison Chart
Primary Meaning
To prevent or avoid
To change direction or focus
Usage Context
Often negative or protective
Neutral, can be positive or negative
Associated Actions
Proactive measures, avoidance
Redirection, change of focus
Emotional Context
Avoiding direct interaction or confrontation
Shifting attention or emotions
Outcome Orientation
Preventative, avoiding undesirable outcomes
Altering course, neutral or purposeful change
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Avert and Divert Definitions
Avert
To deflect or redirect.
She averted her thoughts from the sad news.
Divert
To turn aside or from a path.
The path was diverted due to construction.
Avert
To avoid or evade.
He averted uncomfortable questions with skill.
Divert
To redirect attention or resources.
The company diverted funds to new projects.
Avert
To turn away.
She averted her eyes from the gruesome scene.
Divert
To entertain or amuse.
The clown diverted the children at the party.
Avert
To prevent or ward off.
Quick action averted the accident.
Divert
To shift focus from one area to another.
He diverted the conversation to a lighter topic.
Avert
To steer clear of a potential problem.
They averted disaster through careful planning.
Divert
To cause a change in direction.
The river's course was diverted by the dam.
Avert
To turn away
Avert one's eyes.
Divert
To turn aside from a course or direction
Traffic was diverted around the scene of the accident.
Divert
To distract
My attention was diverted by an argument between motorists.
FAQs
Is "avert" proactive or reactive?
Avert is more proactive, involving steps taken to prevent something.
Can "divert" be used in strategic contexts?
Yes, it can mean strategically redirecting focus or resources.
What does "avert" primarily imply?
Avert implies prevention or avoidance of something negative.
Does "avert" always imply physical turning away?
Not always; it can also be metaphorical, like averting a crisis.
Can "divert" be used in a conversational sense?
Yes, like diverting the topic of a conversation.
Can "divert" be used in a positive context?
Yes, divert can be neutral or positive, like diverting resources to beneficial projects.
Can "divert" mean to entertain?
Yes, divert can mean to entertain or amuse, as in diverting someone’s attention.
Is "avert" always about avoiding danger?
Mostly, it's about avoiding negative outcomes, but it can also mean turning away in general.
Is "avert" a common term in safety contexts?
Yes, it's often used in contexts like averting accidents or risks.
Can "divert" imply distraction?
Yes, it can mean diverting attention as a form of distraction.
Can "divert" relate to physical redirection?
Yes, it often involves changing direction, like a diverted path or river.
Does "divert" imply a permanent change?
Not necessarily; the change can be temporary or situational.
Is "divert" applicable in logistics or planning?
Yes, particularly in redirecting resources or routes.
Does "avert" suggest a deliberate action?
Generally, yes; it implies an intentional effort to avoid something.
Are "avert" and "divert" interchangeable?
Not usually, due to their different implications of prevention vs. redirection.
Is "avert" used more in negative contexts?
Yes, it often relates to avoiding negative or undesirable outcomes.
Can "avert" be related to crisis management?
Absolutely, as in averting potential disasters through planning.
Is "avert" used in emotional contexts?
Yes, like averting one's gaze to avoid emotional discomfort.
Does "divert" always mean a significant change?
No, it can refer to minor or subtle shifts in direction or focus.
Can "divert" have a playful connotation?
Yes, especially in contexts of diverting for entertainment or amusement.
About Author
Written by
Harlon MossHarlon is a seasoned quality moderator and accomplished content writer for Difference Wiki. An alumnus of the prestigious University of California, he earned his degree in Computer Science. Leveraging his academic background, Harlon brings a meticulous and informed perspective to his work, ensuring content accuracy and excellence.
Edited by
Aimie CarlsonAimie Carlson, holding a master's degree in English literature, is a fervent English language enthusiast. She lends her writing talents to Difference Wiki, a prominent website that specializes in comparisons, offering readers insightful analyses that both captivate and inform.
