divert

verb

di·​vert də-ˈvərt 

dī-

diverted; diverting; diverts

intransitive verb

: to turn aside : deviate

studied law but diverted to diplomacy

transitive verb

1

a

: to turn from one course or use to another : deflect

divert traffic to a side street

diverted funds from the company

b

: distract

trying to divert her attention

2

: to give pleasure to especially by distracting the attention from what burdens or distresses

children diverting themselves with their toys

Synonyms of divert

• amuse
• entertain
• regale
• distract

Choose the Right Synonym for divert

amuse, divert, entertain mean to pass or cause to pass the time pleasantly.

amuse suggests that one's attention is engaged lightly.

amuse yourselves while I make dinner

divert implies distracting attention from worry or routine occupation especially by something funny.

a light comedy to divert the tired businessman

entertain suggests supplying amusement by specially contrived methods.

a magician entertaining children at a party

Examples of divert in a Sentence

Police diverted traffic to a side street.

The stream was diverted toward the farmland.

They were charged with illegally diverting public funds for private use.

He lied to divert attention from the real situation.

They're only proposing the law to divert attention from important issues.

Recent Examples on the Web

An off-duty state trooper and a civilian fired on the gunman and diverted him from the restaurant, the police chief said. — Dana Griffin, NBC news, 3 Aug. 2026

During the attack, an off-duty state trooper and a civilian fired on Williams and diverted him from the restaurant, the chief said. — Michael Biesecker, Chicago Tribune, 3 Aug. 2026

An off-duty state trooper and a civilian fired on the attacker and diverted him from the restaurant, the chief said. — ABC News, 3 Aug. 2026

An off-duty state trooper and an armed citizen fired at Williams as the incident unfolded, diverting him from the restaurant in an effort that likely saved lives. — David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 3 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English diverten "to turn in a certain direction, turn away, direct one's mind," borrowed from Middle French & Medieval Latin; Middle French divertir, borrowed (with conjugation change) from Medieval Latin dīvertere "to turn aside, deflect, alienate (property), depart," continuing both Latin dīvertere "to separate oneself (from), be different, diverge" (from dī-, variant before voiced sounds of dis- dis- + vertere "to cause to revolve, turn, spin") and dēvertere "to turn away, divert, make a turn aside/detour," from dē- de- + vertere — more at worth entry 4

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Phrases Containing divert

• divert/distract attention

Rhymes for divert

• alert
• assert
• avert
• dessert
• evert
• exert
• inert
• insert
• invert
• nightshirt
• overt
• revert

Kids Definition

divert

verb

di·​vert də-ˈvərt 

dī-

1

a

: to turn aside : turn from one course or use to another

b

: to turn the attention away : distract

2

: to give pleasure to by causing the time to pass pleasantly

Etymology

Middle English diverten "to turn aside from a course," from early French divertir "to divert" and Latin divertere "to turn in opposite directions," from dis- "away, apart" and vertere "to turn" — related to converse, reverse, versatile

Legal Definition

divert

transitive verb

di·​vert də-ˈvərt, dī- 

1

: to turn from one course or use to another

funds illegally diverted

2

: to place (a defendant) under a diversion

diverter noun