to avert · to prevent · to avoid · to refrain from

Every function should have comments describing its purpose in order to avoid confusion.

For some companies their treatment of their employees or clients at any given time could affect their share prices and so inevitably have a great influence on the company’s success or failure.

We should try to avoid imposing our own beliefs on others.

Try to avoid making any more trouble.

We took action immediately so that things wouldn't get worse.