divert/distract attention
idiom
: to try to keep people from noticing or thinking about something
He was trying to divert/distract attention away from his friend's mistake.
Examples of divert/distract attention in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The protests were deliberately scheduled for June 14 to divert attention away from the military parade in Washington, D.C. scheduled to take place on the same date, the group said on the site.
—
Megan Cerullo, CBS News, 12 June 2025
Critics say the Saudi government’s support of esports is meant to divert attention away from its record of domestic repression.
—Nabih Bulos, Los Angeles Times, 9 June 2025
Tariffs divert attention from the transformations needed to address climate and nature impacts.
—Simi Thambi, Forbes.com, 30 May 2025
Promotion growing crowds Saudi investment in football invariably brings with it allegations that the Gulf state is engaged in ‘sportswashing’: using the game to enhance its global image and divert attention from concerns about issues like its human rights record.
—Phil Hay, New York Times, 20 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for divert/distract attention
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Megan Cerullo, CBS News, 12 June 2025
Critics say the Saudi government’s support of esports is meant to divert attention away from its record of domestic repression.
—Nabih Bulos, Los Angeles Times, 9 June 2025
Tariffs divert attention from the transformations needed to address climate and nature impacts.
—Simi Thambi, Forbes.com, 30 May 2025
Promotion growing crowds Saudi investment in football invariably brings with it allegations that the Gulf state is engaged in ‘sportswashing’: using the game to enhance its global image and divert attention from concerns about issues like its human rights record.
—Phil Hay, New York Times, 20 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for divert/distract attention
Cite this Entry
“Divert/distract attention.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/divert%2Fdistract%20attention. Accessed 25 Jun. 2025.
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