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.
On Monday, LaPlaca was sentenced to three years in a diversionary program for first-time offenders after pleading guilty to driving under the influence and a fourth-degree child abuse charge. Joe Brandt, CBS News, 3 Mar. 2026 Officers called for flash-bang devices — diversionary explosives that create a loud noise and bright flash meant to disorient — to subdue the animals, the footage shows. Chase Rogers, Dallas Morning News, 23 Feb. 2026 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 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 12 Mar. 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