Deliberately or purposely doing something (often something unnecessary, risky, or bold).
彼はあえて危険な道を選んだ。
He deliberately chose the dangerous route.
あえて反対意見を述べたのは議論を活発にしたかったからだ。
He deliberately expressed a dissenting opinion because he wanted to stimulate discussion.
あえて謝罪したことで場の雰囲気が和らいだ。
By apologizing deliberately, he eased the atmosphere.
Used with negative verbs to mean 'not necessarily' or 'not particularly; there's no need to (do something)'.
重要ではないから、あえて説明する必要はない。
It's not important, so there's no need to explain it deliberately.
そんな細かい点はあえて気にしないでいいよ。
You don't have to worry about such minor points.
問題が小さいので、あえて手を加える必要はない。
The problem is small, so there's no need to make deliberate changes.
(Archaic) Used with negative verbs to express a strong 'definitely not' or 'by no means'. Mostly archaic or literary.
その行為はあえて許されず。
That action is by no means permitted.