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
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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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of divert
That, according to the journalist, was when his wife decided to step in and divert attention, all while celebrating his 41st birthday.
—
Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 16 Sep. 2025
The plane had to be diverted to Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport.
—Colson Thayer, PEOPLE, 16 Sep. 2025
Officials are diverting traffic to Interstate 84.
—Sally Krutzig, Idaho Statesman, 15 Sep. 2025
The mayor is requesting to divert $42 million of those dollars into the new reserve fund, which the City Council would have to approve.
—Dana Afana, Freep.com, 15 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for divert
Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 16 Sep. 2025
The plane had to be diverted to Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport.
—Colson Thayer, PEOPLE, 16 Sep. 2025
Officials are diverting traffic to Interstate 84.
—Sally Krutzig, Idaho Statesman, 15 Sep. 2025
The mayor is requesting to divert $42 million of those dollars into the new reserve fund, which the City Council would have to approve.
—Dana Afana, Freep.com, 15 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for divert
Recent Examples of Synonyms for divert
Verb
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This restaurant is open only Thursday-Saturday, serves a maximum of 18 diners, as a result, strictly requires reservations and offers a boat ride first with a saffron tea and amuse bouche service onboard.—
Laurie Werner,
Forbes.com,
17 Sep. 2025
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Lalay, a 15-foot crocodile, was not amused and spent half an hour thrashing around with the man’s leg clenched in her teeth, until the park owner clocked her over the head with a block of concrete to get her to let go.—
Kassondra Cloos,
Outside,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
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He was arrested following a 33-hour manhunt after his parents recognized surveillance images of the suspect released by police and convinced him, with the help of a family friend, to turn himself in.—
Connor Greene,
Time,
17 Sep. 2025
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Also, the tensions between Asuka, Kairi Sane, and Iyo could result in the latter turning heel on Vaquer during or after the match for the vacant WWE Women’s World Championship.—
Brian Mazique,
Forbes.com,
17 Sep. 2025
Verb
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But Henry gets distracted by a massive prison explosion, allowing Jonah to plunge a hidden knife into his chest.—
Bryan Alexander,
USA Today,
18 Sep. 2025
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This might mean dropping a product line that’s profitable but distracts from your core business, or saying no to a good opportunity that isn’t aligned with your growth strategy.—
Minna Hu,
Forbes.com,
17 Sep. 2025
Verb
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These initiatives still fall within the purview established by recent Supreme Court decisions, and remain steps that companies can entertain even in the current legal climate.—
Adia Harvey Wingfield,
Forbes.com,
17 Sep. 2025
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The only way Golden State can even entertain that kind of move, though, is if Kuminga doesn't accept the qualifying offer, and instead signs a larger, multi-year deal this offseason.—
Noah Camras,
MSNBC Newsweek,
16 Sep. 2025
Verb
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That kind of dexterity is apparent in the footwork, one of those features that can swing matches when the going gets tough.—
Tim Ellis,
Forbes.com,
15 Sep. 2025
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After the Blue Jays swung a trade to bring in Shane Bieber at this season's deadline, Edward Eng of FanSided's Jays Journal predicted the team would turn to him as a long-term replacement while letting Max Scherzer walk this winter.—
Peter Chawaga,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Like his Washington, Bargatze’s Farnsworth regaled a trio of underlings (SNL cast members Bowen Yang, Mikey Day, and James Austin Johnson) with ridiculous yet accurate predictions for the future, in this case of TV.—
Judy Berman,
Time,
15 Sep. 2025
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Her mother, an enslaved woman whose name is lost to history, had been a storyteller, too, regaling the girl with folktales on the Maryland plantation where she was born in the mid-nineteenth century.—
April White,
JSTOR Daily,
15 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Smith didn’t complete a single pass that traveled in the air for 10 yards or more, and the Chargers deflected 15 of his throws.—
Elliott Teaford,
Oc Register,
16 Sep. 2025
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But the ball deflected off the tight end’s right hand, then his chest, and ended up in the grateful arms of Eagles safety Drew Mukuba.—
Jamie Barton,
CNN Money,
15 Sep. 2025
Verb
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However, there has been the occasional homeless person who wanders onto the property and needs to be redirected or community member who wants to attend the mass, not realizing the service is for the school kids only.—
Lou Ponsi,
Oc Register,
19 Sep. 2025
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Skills can be redirected toward defending instead of attacking.—
Chris Wysopal,
Forbes.com,
19 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Divert.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/divert. Accessed 20 Sep. 2025.
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