1) Avoids 2) Deflects 3) Dodges 4) Ducks 5) Fends off 6) Forestalls 7) Forfends 8) Heads off 9) Heads off at the pass 10) Keeps from happening 11) Keeps from occurring 12) Nips in the bud 13) Parries 14) Precludes 15) Prevents 16) Prevents from happening 17) Shields 18) Sidesteps 19) Staves off 20) Thwarts 1) Parries 2) Turnsaway