| verb | prevent the occurrence of; prevent from happening “Let's avoid a confrontation” |
| verb | turn from a straight course, fixed direction, or line of interest |
| verb | turn aside and away from an initial or intended course |
| verb | draw someone's attention away from something “The thief distracted the bystanders” |
| verb | impede the movement of (an opponent or a ball) “block an attack” |
| obviation | noun | the act of preventing something by anticipating and disposing of it effectively |
| avertible | adjective | capable of being avoided or warded off |
| avertable | adjective | capable of being avoided or warded off |
| avoidable | adjective | capable of being avoided or warded off |
| deflexion | noun | a turning aside (of your course or attention or concern) |
| deflection | noun | a turning aside (of your course or attention or concern) |
| deflector | noun | a device intended to turn aside the flow of something (water or air or smoke etc) |
| deflective | adjective | capable of changing the direction (of a light or sound wave) |
| distraction | noun | the act of distracting; drawing someone's attention away from something |
| parry | noun | a return punch (especially by a boxer) |
| blocker | noun | a football player whose responsibility is to block players attempting to stop an offensive play |
| block | noun | the act of obstructing or deflecting someone's movements |
| blockage | noun | the act of blocking |
| blocking | noun | the act of obstructing or deflecting someone's movements |