écarter

Senses

1. 1.

   to move apart; to spread

   to separate or open something by moving parts away from each other

2. 2.

   to push aside; to dismiss

   to remove from consideration or to set aside an idea, option, or person

3. 3.

   to divert; to turn away

   to steer something away from its course or redirect attention

4. 4.

   to discard; to rule out

   to eliminate a possibility or reject a proposal

Examples

• "Elle a écarté les rideaux pour laisser entrer la lumière."

  She opened the curtains to let in the light.

• "On a dû écarter cette hypothèse après l'enquête."

  We had to rule out that hypothesis after the investigation.

• "Il a écarté mon bras avec douceur."

  He gently pushed my arm aside.

Usage

**Écarter** is a common transitive verb with both literal (physical separation) and figurative (dismissal/rejection) uses. Often reflexive: **s'écarter** = "to move away, to step aside." Pay attention to register: the figurative sense is standard in formal and informal contexts alike.