divert

verb

də-ˈvərt How to pronounce divert (audio)
Definition of divertnext
1
as in to amuse
to cause (someone) to pass the time agreeably occupied a light comedy to divert the tired business executive

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to turn
to change the course or direction of (something) the bike race was diverted around the construction zone

Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in to distract
to draw the attention or mind to something else trying to divert the child with a toy while the doctor was giving her a shot

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word divert different from other verbs like it?

The words amuse and entertain are common synonyms of divert. While all three words mean "to pass or cause to pass the time pleasantly," divert implies distracting attention from worry or routine occupation especially by something funny.

a light comedy to divert the tired businessman

In what contexts can amuse take the place of divert?

The meanings of amuse and divert largely overlap; however, amuse suggests that one's attention is engaged lightly.

amuse yourselves while I make dinner

When would entertain be a good substitute for divert?

Although the words entertain and divert have much in common, entertain suggests supplying amusement by specially contrived methods.

a magician entertaining children at a party

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of divert Taxpayer dollars were diverted to fund kickbacks for Bock and her co-conspirators. —Mara H. Gottfried, Twin Cities, 19 May 2026 We have been forced to divert educational resources and increase our security budget to safeguard students and staff as a precaution when the threat of violence against Jews has become common in the city. —Binyamin Krauss, Washington Post, 18 May 2026 The agency has a goal of eventually diverting 50% of its waste. —Steve Scauzillo, Daily News, 18 May 2026 Mitch drilled a hole into his home’s concrete foundation in hopes of diverting the sludge out of the house and into the yard. —Nick Bowlin, ProPublica, 18 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for divert
Recent Examples of Synonyms for divert
  1. amuse
  2. turn
  3. distract
  4. entertain
  5. swing
  6. regale
  7. deflect
  8. redirect
Verb
  • Voters, unlike some pundits, aren’t looking to be entertained or amused by the state’s next leader.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 10 May 2026
  • Her grandmother though is amused and amusing, fierce and surprising, allowed to be acerbic and to talk to her granddaughter about (literally) life and death topics rather than just dolls and baking and memories.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 7 May 2026
Definition of amuse
Verb
  • Professional commentators tended to see these developments in so many local terms—turning, for their explanations, to national histories, cultures and institutions.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 18 May 2026
  • The question turned into an accidental personality test, exposing some of each artist’s values.
    — Clayton Davis, Variety, 18 May 2026
Definition of turn
Verb
  • But during the aufguss ceremony at BASIN Glacial Waters, people smiled and laughed and swayed to the music, and Kyan’s dance-like towel moves distracted me from the discomfort of the heat.
    — Jen Murphy, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 May 2026
  • Inside an intimate pub, however, filling out the scene with empty tables could distract from the hurried, nervous nature of the filmmaker’s original intent.
    — Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 14 May 2026
Definition of distract
Verb
  • Between the indoor water parks, arcades, and arts and crafts, they’re designed for keeping bundles of energy entertained…both kids and kids at heart.
    — Madison Flager, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 May 2026
  • One character’s escape is ghostwriting love letters and pornographic stories to entertain his classmates.
    — The New Yorker, New Yorker, 20 May 2026
Definition of entertain
Verb
  • When Bz points north, Earth’s field resists it; when Bz swings south, the two fields connect, allowing plasma to stream in.
    — Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 15 May 2026
  • In a matter of hours, the South Korean Kospi swung from a fresh record high, above the 8,000 milestone, to a 6% loss.
    — Katie Foley, CNBC, 15 May 2026
Definition of swing
Verb
  • The movie ends with Johnny regaling Baraka with tales of his heroism.
    — Aaron Couch, HollywoodReporter, 14 May 2026
  • Locals are happy to regale you with tales of family squabbles and fishing exploits at any of the seaside watering holes.
    — Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 2 May 2026
Definition of regale
Verb
  • The puck deflected off the outstretched stick of Ottawa defender Rory Guilday and into the back of the net.
    — Hailey Salvian, New York Times, 21 May 2026
  • Mack then pushed the Marlins’ lead to 3-0 with a two-run single with the bases loaded in the fourth that deflected off second baseman Ozzie Albies’ glove and into right field to score Kyle Stowers and Marsee.
    — Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 19 May 2026
Definition of deflect
Verb
  • The Russian ambassador was speaking after Ukraine blamed Russia on Tuesday for redirecting one of ​its drones into Estonian airspace, where a NATO jet shot it down, the latest cross-border drone incident that has caused a political ‌uproar in the Baltic states.
    — Andrea Shalal, USA Today, 20 May 2026
  • The money was instead misappropriated for her own benefit, with significant sums of the fraud redirected to gambling expenses.
    — Paula Wethington, CBS News, 20 May 2026
Definition of redirect

Browse Nearby Words

diversity
divert
diverted
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Divert.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/divert. Accessed 22 May. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on divert

Nglish: Translation of divert for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of fraught

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

5 Verbal Slip Ups and Language Mistakes

Regarding the Incorrect Use of 'Decimate'

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Strange Words for Body Functions

Where does 'curiosity killed the cat' come from?

What to Call the Inept, Incompetent, and Inferior

The Words of the Week - May 22

Insults and Compliments from Recent Slang
See More

Popular

See More

5 Verbal Slip Ups and Language Mistakes

Strange Words for Body Functions

Where does 'curiosity killed the cat' come from?
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
puzzle-piece-road
Missing Link Quiz May 2026 Five seconds to figure out the word that fits bot...
See All