ab|wenden
Translation
to turn away, to avert, to prevent
Examples
Er wendet seinen Blick von ihr ab.
He turns his gaze away from her.
Wir müssen die Katastrophe abwenden.
We have to avert the catastrophe.
Grammar Patterns
((sth.)) ((from sb./sth.)) to turn (sth.) away (from sb./sth.) Er wendet den Blick von dem Unfall ab.
((sth.)) to avert, prevent (sth.) Sie konnten die Gefahr abwenden.
Similar Words
Synonyms: wegsehen, vermeiden, verhindern; Antonyms: zuwenden
Etymology
Composed of the prefix 'ab-' (away) and 'wenden' (to turn). Literally means 'to turn away'.
Memory Tips
Imagine physically 'turning away' (abwenden) from something, which leads to the figurative meaning of 'averting' a danger.