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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of divert
The latter was looking to win a throw off the former with his clearance, but Aaronson managed to divert it back off the defender for a Leeds ball.
—
Beren Cross, New York Times, 25 Oct. 2025
Pureval said the move won't affect a city program that diverts nonviolent calls to mental health teams.
—David Ferrara, Cincinnati Enquirer, 24 Oct. 2025
The Pentagon diverted money in its budget to prevent military families from missing their paychecks earlier this month.
—Mason Leath, ABC News, 23 Oct. 2025
The plan included launching a mobile booking station to quickly issue citations, stricter curfew and firearm enforcement, and increasing police presence by diverting patrol officers to high-traffic entertainment areas.
—Angelika Ytuarte, jsonline.com, 22 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for divert
Beren Cross, New York Times, 25 Oct. 2025
Pureval said the move won't affect a city program that diverts nonviolent calls to mental health teams.
—David Ferrara, Cincinnati Enquirer, 24 Oct. 2025
The Pentagon diverted money in its budget to prevent military families from missing their paychecks earlier this month.
—Mason Leath, ABC News, 23 Oct. 2025
The plan included launching a mobile booking station to quickly issue citations, stricter curfew and firearm enforcement, and increasing police presence by diverting patrol officers to high-traffic entertainment areas.
—Angelika Ytuarte, jsonline.com, 22 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for divert
Recent Examples of Synonyms for divert
Verb
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The Special Olympics are not amused after Kid Rock used an ableist slur while making a joke in a recent Fox News interview.—
Anthony Robledo,
USA Today,
31 Oct. 2025
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The footage left internet viewers both amused and confused.—
Lucy Notarantonio,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The Iliad tells the story of the Greeks’ greatest warrior, Achilles, who sulks in his tent for most of the poem before rejoining the fight and turning the tide.—
Elizabeth D. Samet,
Foreign Affairs,
29 Oct. 2025
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Mahomes had his head turned toward the opposite side of the field, so Rice sprinted into a shallow cross to meet him there — long enough to finally lock eyes.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
28 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Consider having some extra treats on hand to distract your dog and encourage them to be brave puppies.—
Cody Godwin,
USA Today,
30 Oct. 2025
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Once written, the script’s fantastic promise distracted its readers from the fatal holes in its plot.—
Elizabeth D. Samet,
Foreign Affairs,
29 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The production draws on a long history of curiosity amusements in which people looked to be entertained by viewing others with unusual or non-normative bodies, especially in nineteenth-century Western circus and dime museums.—
JSTOR Daily,
JSTOR Daily,
30 Oct. 2025
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But let us, for a second, entertain that fantasy.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
29 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Parsons signed a multiyear extension upon arrival and has already produced game‑changing pressure and splash plays that helped swing the second half in Pittsburgh, giving the Packers a top-tier pass rush to pair with Love’s ascending offense.—
Rowan Fisher-Shotton,
MSNBC Newsweek,
27 Oct. 2025
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When not in use, the flaps swing open, allowing the soldier to listen normally.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
26 Oct. 2025
Verb
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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
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But his film career began in earnest with 2020's Scare Me, a stylish comedy about writers regaling each story with spooky tales in an isolated cabin during a power outage.—
Randall Colburn,
Entertainment Weekly,
18 Oct. 2025
Verb
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As Hellebuyck scrambled to get back into position, the puck appeared to deflect off the goalie’s skate and into the net.—
Jess Myers,
Twin Cities,
29 Oct. 2025
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In his first comments since, Barmore, who declined to speak after the game, deflected Wednesday when asked what led to his apparent benching.—
Andrew Callahan,
Boston Herald,
29 Oct. 2025
Verb
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If Pittman had brought her car to Dutch’s Auto Service, employees would have redirected her to the dealership for repairs, Mortensen said.—
Gina Lee Castro,
jsonline.com,
30 Oct. 2025
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Without accurate data, there is no way to see what is working and what needs to be redirected to have the biggest effect.—
Claire Dodds,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Divert.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/divert. Accessed 2 Nov. 2025.
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