warded off
Deflected the threat
Warded off is the past tense of ward off, meaning to deflect or prevent something unwanted from arriving or taking effect.
You ward off an attacker, an illness, or an accusation: She warded off the blow with her forearm.
The phrase suggests active defense—turning aside what approaches rather than simply avoiding it.
- avertedPrevented from occurring
- parriedBlocked an attack
- repelledDrove away forcefully
- beat backForce to retreat
- resistedRefused to yield
deflected · prevented · evaded · blocked · thwarted · avoided · dodged · drove away · amulet · evil eye · shielded · exorcism · protective spell · rebuffed · deterred · negative energy · rationalization · countered