Verb
1. prevent the occurrence of; prevent from happening;
"Let's avoid a confrontation""head off a confrontation""avert a strike"2. turn from a straight course , fixed direction, or line of interest
3. turn aside
4. draw someone's attention away from something;
"The thief distracted the bystanders""He deflected his competitors"5. impede the movement of (an opponent or a ball);
"block an attack"