Avert

v. t. [imp. & p. p. AVERTED; p. pr. & vb. n. AVERTING.] [Lat. avertere, from ab, a, from, and vertere, to turn.] To turn or cause to turn off, aside, or away; as, to avert the eyes from an object. “To avert his ire.” Milton.

When atheists and profane persons do hear of so many discordant and contrary opinions in religion, it doth avert them from the church. Bacon.