diversionary

adjective

di·​ver·​sion·​ary də-ˈvər-zhə-ˌner-ē How to pronounce diversionary (audio)
dī-
-shə-
: tending to draw attention away from the principal concern : being a diversion

Examples of diversionary in a Sentence

This is nothing more than a diversionary tactic to distract attention from the issues.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Before the city installed diversionary pipes and drains, almost every neighborhood had a natural pond or two. Jacques Kelly, Baltimore Sun, 30 Jan. 2026 So all this is sort of a diversionary debate. Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 30 Jan. 2026 The international community is well aware of the reality and will not be misled by Pakistan’s desperate diversionary ploys. Shane Croucher, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Nov. 2025 Wildlife managers used tactics including drones, beanbags, diversionary feeding, deterrent fences and round-the-clock field presence, but the wolves persisted in killing cattle, the DFW said. Bay Area News Group, Mercury News, 28 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for diversionary

Word History

Etymology

diversion + -ary entry 2

First Known Use

1846, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of diversionary was in 1846

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Diversionary.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/diversionary. Accessed 9 Feb. 2026.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster