as in amusing
providing amusement or enjoyment
some tall and diverting tales were told by the festival's roving storyteller
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in entertaining
to cause (someone) to pass the time agreeably occupied
a light comedy to divert the tired business executive
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in turning
to change the course or direction of (something)
the bike race was diverted around the construction zone
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in distracting
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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of diverting
BostonGlobe.com, 26 July 2021
The plan also would call for constant testing of players and staff, which could mean diverting resources from public health care.
—Nick Piecoro, azcentral, 6 Apr. 2020
Judging by comments on social media, many of those who tuned in found Mr. Bone to be the most diverting thing about the debate.
—Jonah Engel Bromwich, New York Times, 10 Oct. 2016
Per The New York Times: Judging by comments on social media, many of those who tuned in found Mr. Bone to be the most diverting thing about the debate.
—Charles P. Pierce, Esquire, 10 Oct. 2016
Both popular and science media show an outsized fondness for brain imaging studies, inspiring much work more diverting than informative.
—David Dobbs, WIRED, 4 July 2006
Shomik Mukherjee, Mercury News, 20 Sep. 2025
And, in between these high-profile gigs, there always appeared to be some diverting, though often middling, Sheen fare to amuse audiences.
—Naomi Fry, New Yorker, 20 Sep. 2025
Rising defense spending, from Germany’s €100 billion special fund to broader NATO rearmament, is diverting money from long-term infrastructure and transition projects.
—Felicia Jackson, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025
Officials are diverting traffic to Interstate 84.
—Sally Krutzig, Idaho Statesman, 15 Sep. 2025
The suit accuses Haman of running an online retailer, Quba Pro Inc, that allegedly defrauded Cornerstone by raising money in a financing agreement and diverting the funds.
—Alex J. Rouhandeh, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Sep. 2025
Goldman Sachs says surging investment in AI among the S&P 500 companies is diverting funds from stock buybacks, halting their usual yearly growth.
—Jim Edwards, Fortune, 9 Sep. 2025
And diverting and redirecting waste from landfills, whether through recycling or reusing, boosts crew morale on film sets.
—Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 7 Sep. 2025
But the rail authority has argued that, in the long-term, a train system would save money by diverting travelers away from roads and airports.
—Ariane Lange, Sacbee.com, 5 Sep. 2025
Adjective
But you were also treated to a diverting and delightful narrative, rich with insider’s lore.
—BostonGlobe.com, 26 July 2021
The plan also would call for constant testing of players and staff, which could mean diverting resources from public health care.
—Nick Piecoro, azcentral, 6 Apr. 2020
Judging by comments on social media, many of those who tuned in found Mr. Bone to be the most diverting thing about the debate.
—Jonah Engel Bromwich, New York Times, 10 Oct. 2016
Per The New York Times: Judging by comments on social media, many of those who tuned in found Mr. Bone to be the most diverting thing about the debate.
—Charles P. Pierce, Esquire, 10 Oct. 2016
Both popular and science media show an outsized fondness for brain imaging studies, inspiring much work more diverting than informative.
—David Dobbs, WIRED, 4 July 2006
Verb
But with the ballpark field sitting nearly two dozen feet below a rising sea level, officials have pumped groundwater that seeps up around the stadium grounds, diverting it into Damon Slough.
—Shomik Mukherjee, Mercury News, 20 Sep. 2025
And, in between these high-profile gigs, there always appeared to be some diverting, though often middling, Sheen fare to amuse audiences.
—Naomi Fry, New Yorker, 20 Sep. 2025
Rising defense spending, from Germany’s €100 billion special fund to broader NATO rearmament, is diverting money from long-term infrastructure and transition projects.
—Felicia Jackson, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025
Officials are diverting traffic to Interstate 84.
—Sally Krutzig, Idaho Statesman, 15 Sep. 2025
The suit accuses Haman of running an online retailer, Quba Pro Inc, that allegedly defrauded Cornerstone by raising money in a financing agreement and diverting the funds.
—Alex J. Rouhandeh, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Sep. 2025
Goldman Sachs says surging investment in AI among the S&P 500 companies is diverting funds from stock buybacks, halting their usual yearly growth.
—Jim Edwards, Fortune, 9 Sep. 2025
And diverting and redirecting waste from landfills, whether through recycling or reusing, boosts crew morale on film sets.
—Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 7 Sep. 2025
But the rail authority has argued that, in the long-term, a train system would save money by diverting travelers away from roads and airports.
—Ariane Lange, Sacbee.com, 5 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for diverting
Adjective
-
Hacking a pre-Internet console Making this amusing amalgam of past and present technology possible required some clever engineering.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
12 Sep. 2025
-
DeMarco was also entetaining with his amusing banter in between songs while encouraging his New York fans to clap and wave their arms.—
David Chiu,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Around the same time, Mark Twain spent weeks at a time at the estate, soaking in the New England scenery and entertaining other houseguests with readings from Huckleberry Finn.—
Abby Montanez,
Robb Report,
16 Sep. 2025
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With that in mind, colorful cookware makes entertaining a breeze, as these pieces can go straight from the oven or stovetop to the table.—
Heather Riske,
Better Homes & Gardens,
16 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Head-turning hybrid fuel economy numbers are expected.—
Mark Phelan,
USA Today,
20 Sep. 2025
-
While the family debates on what is the most culturally appropriate mourning ritual, Russia begins its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, turning their lives upside down.—
Rafa Sales Ross,
Variety,
20 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
With Jorgen Strand Larsen, who scored vital goals last season, suffering from an injury and a distracting transfer saga amid interest from Newcastle, Pereira has had to work with three crucial players through the spine of his team either missing or below par.—
Steve Madeley,
New York Times,
15 Sep. 2025
-
Here, the challenge was capturing speed, altitude, and precision in a way that feels immediate without distracting from the story.—
Tony Bradley,
Forbes.com,
15 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Zero computer intervention is fun, without a doubt, but also a little nerve-racking when small drifts of gravel dot the road and undulations in the asphalt can cause momentary losses in traction.—
Michael Teo Van Runkle,
Forbes.com,
17 Sep. 2025
-
This sweater dress is fun to wear and perfect for strolling (and snapping a quick selfie) in cool, crisp autumn weather.—
Robin Raven,
Travel + Leisure,
17 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
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
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The 21-time PGA Tour winner engaged a small group on a practice green, going over technique, drills and flatstick psychology while also regaling them with stories about golf greats—like how keeping an eye on the hole helped Beth Daniel transform her putting game.—
Mike Dojc,
Forbes.com,
22 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
This bike is meant to move, whether to speed through a commute, push an exercise ride a bit farther, or tackle that one hill that ruins your otherwise enjoyable route.—
Kevin Purdy,
ArsTechnica,
20 Sep. 2025
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Striving to be a hub for a high quality, affordable, and enjoyable vaping, the shop expanded into the CBD market in 2019 and is now focused on being a shop for all vapers.—
Shawn Price,
Oc Register,
19 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Then, with seemingly no provocation, the man can be seen standing up and whipping out a knife in his right hand.—
David K. Li,
NBC news,
17 Sep. 2025
-
Greens are guarded with some diabolical sand traps, and the usually whipping wind forces you to plot every shot.—
Moira McCarthy,
Boston Herald,
11 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Diverting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/diverting. Accessed 22 Sep. 2025.
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