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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Lorne Cook, Los Angeles Times, 31 Mar. 2026
Prosecutors said the scheme netted Smith more than $8 million by diverting royalty payments away from legitimate artists.
—Alice Gibbs, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 2026
London — The world, hungry for oil, got a modest reprieve earlier this month when Saudi Arabia began diverting millions of barrels of crude —ordinarily destined for ships transiting the blockaded Strait of Hormuz — to its Red Sea port of Yanbu.
—Anna Cooban, CNN Money, 30 Mar. 2026
In total, Gonzalez is accused of diverting roughly $97,233 from the nine insurance companies, according to court documents.
—Lauren Penington, Denver Post, 30 Mar. 2026
Nordseth also argued the city is illegally diverting money collected through a 2% increase in hotel occupancy taxes, approved by voters in 2022.
—Everton Bailey Jr, Dallas Morning News, 27 Mar. 2026
Gut Digestion slows at altitude due to a lack of oxygen in the intestines and the body diverting blood to more critical organs and the muscles that are being used to climb.
—Brad Stulberg, Outside, 26 Mar. 2026
Skeptics say Luari’s expansion that was too fast-paced — spanning just five years — diverting her attention from the individual restaurants.
—Kenneth R. Gosselin, Hartford Courant, 26 Mar. 2026
The tanker, believed to be carrying about 190,000 barrels of Russian diesel, spent weeks drifting in the Atlantic before diverting toward Venezuela, according to tracking data.
—Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 25 Mar. 2026
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
The Iran war is currently a top priority for the United States and risks diverting resources that Kyiv needs, such as air defense systems, while providing Russia with windfall profits through high energy prices.
—Lorne Cook, Los Angeles Times, 31 Mar. 2026
Prosecutors said the scheme netted Smith more than $8 million by diverting royalty payments away from legitimate artists.
—Alice Gibbs, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 2026
London — The world, hungry for oil, got a modest reprieve earlier this month when Saudi Arabia began diverting millions of barrels of crude —ordinarily destined for ships transiting the blockaded Strait of Hormuz — to its Red Sea port of Yanbu.
—Anna Cooban, CNN Money, 30 Mar. 2026
In total, Gonzalez is accused of diverting roughly $97,233 from the nine insurance companies, according to court documents.
—Lauren Penington, Denver Post, 30 Mar. 2026
Nordseth also argued the city is illegally diverting money collected through a 2% increase in hotel occupancy taxes, approved by voters in 2022.
—Everton Bailey Jr, Dallas Morning News, 27 Mar. 2026
Gut Digestion slows at altitude due to a lack of oxygen in the intestines and the body diverting blood to more critical organs and the muscles that are being used to climb.
—Brad Stulberg, Outside, 26 Mar. 2026
Skeptics say Luari’s expansion that was too fast-paced — spanning just five years — diverting her attention from the individual restaurants.
—Kenneth R. Gosselin, Hartford Courant, 26 Mar. 2026
The tanker, believed to be carrying about 190,000 barrels of Russian diesel, spent weeks drifting in the Atlantic before diverting toward Venezuela, according to tracking data.
—Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 25 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for diverting
Adjective
-
The surviving Cheetos, while amusing to viewers, stand as an odd visual amid an otherwise devastating event.—
Claire Dodds,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Apr. 2026
-
To some on Capitol Hill, the freewheeling is more frustrating than amusing.—
Steven Sloan,
Los Angeles Times,
29 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
As the city has become a year-round base, their clients—often finance and tech principals relocating from New York and California—expect homes to support work, family life, and entertaining without interruption.—
Abby Montanez,
Robb Report,
31 Mar. 2026
-
An open-plan layout invites easy indoor-outdoor living and entertaining throughout the home, which boasts mountain and ocean views.—
Tracy Wright,
FOXNews.com,
28 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The key now is to foster stronger intracontinental dialogue—turning these events from mere entry points into active hubs of exchange among artists, institutions, and audiences.—
Smooth Nzewi,
Artforum,
2 Apr. 2026
-
The bus stopped abruptly after a Baltimore Police Department vehicle cut off the bus while turning into a private parking lot on Edison Highway.—
Chevall Pryce,
Baltimore Sun,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Not all Mauss’s material lends equally well to visualizations, and there are moments in the special when the animations are more distracting than additive.—
Hershal Pandya,
Vulture,
30 Mar. 2026
-
The combination with the neutral dark-blue jean skirt keeps the look still feeling grown-up and not too distracting.—
Jana Ackermann,
Glamour,
28 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Upstairs, Riva Terrace is a super-fun warm-weather spot for Italian small plates and progressive cocktails like First Light (a pineapple-run creation infused with ginger and ginseng) overlooking the outdoor pool and the office buildings of downtown.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Cheering on your favorite sports team while watching games from the couch is fun.—
Catherine Garcia,
TheWeek,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Robbie is at her finest when regaling Charli XCX or Jessie Ware and her mom about her clubbing days.—
Fran Hoepfner,
Vulture,
12 Feb. 2026
-
His father, a veteran of World War II, was a burial vault salesman and would often take Fitzpatrick with him on business trips, regaling him with tales of the city.—
News Desk,
Artforum,
23 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Hosting a dinner party is infinitely more enjoyable with a partner in crime to help curate the playlist and the guest list, keep the conversation and the drinks flowing, and take a load off the planning.—
Kate McGregor,
Architectural Digest,
3 Apr. 2026
-
The film adds a slew of new voice actors to the mix, like Brie Larson as Rosalina (sounding, perhaps, a little too much like Taylor-Joy’s Peach) and Donald Glover as Yoshi, a chaotic and enjoyable addition to the gang.—
Lindsey Bahr,
Chicago Tribune,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The TikTok tactic appears to work by interrupting a child’s emotional escalation with confusion or curiosity—essentially redirecting attention.—
Claire Dodds,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Mar. 2026
-
So, in the meantime, the president's redirecting existing funding to pay TSA agents.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
29 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Diverting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/diverting. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.
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