əˈvɜːt əˈvɝt əˈvɔɪd bɛnd

dɪˈbɑː(ɹ) dɪˈflɛkt dɪsˈtɹækt ˈfɔː(ɹ)ˌfɛnd ˈɒbviˌeɪt ˈɑbviˌeɪt ˈpæɹi impede the movement of (an opponent or a ball) block an attack draw someone's attention away from something The thief distracted the bystanders He deflected his competitors turn aside and away from an initial or intended course turn from a straight course, fixed direction, or line of interest prevent the occurrence of; prevent from happening; to protect from or to keep away anything undesirable; to ward off Let's avoid a confrontation head off a confrontation avert a strike