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Definition of divert
intransitive verb
: to turn aside : deviate studied law but diverted to diplomacy
transitive verb
1a : to turn from one course or use to another : deflect divert traffic to a side street diverting funds to other projectsb : 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
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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 of divert from the Web
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Many Pakistanis blame India for using dams to divert river water that, under a treaty signed in the 1960s, should be flowing into Pakistan.
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Opening the door further to divert taxpayer dollars to religious groups is bad enough on its own.
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Bear in mind that rainfall or the spray from the sprinkler can be blocked or diverted by buildings, roof overhangs, trees, or even the large leaves of some plants such as hostas.
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The head of the Port of Los Angeles says China Cosco Shipping Corp. is diverting cargo to Long Beach because of easier environmental restrictions.
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A new program allowed them to divert into treatment without being found guilty.
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CREW’s initial claim — that it had been forced to divert resources to monitor Trump, essentially — stretched the bounds of credulity.
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An ongoing study by the University of Kentucky’s Center on Drug and Alcohol Research, which looks at past experiences with buprenorphine among addicts at The Healing Place, suggests that diverting and abusing the medicine are common.
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The plan, if activated by order of the prime minister and military chief of staff, was to send a small paratrooper force to divert the Egyptian Army in the desert area so that a team could lay preparations for the atomic blast.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'divert'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology of divert
Middle English, from Middle French & Latin; Middle French divertir, from Latin divertere to turn in opposite directions, from dis- + vertere to turn — more at worth
Synonym Discussion of divert
DIVERT Defined for English Language Learners
divert
playDefinition of divert for English Language Learners
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: to change the direction or use of (something)
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: to take (attention) away from someone or something
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: to take the attention of (someone) away from something or someone
DIVERT Defined for Kids
Word Root of divert
The Latin word vertere, meaning “to turn” or “to change,” and its form versus give us the roots vert and vers. Words from the Latin vertere have something to do with turning or changing. Anything versatile, or able to do or be used for many different things, can change its task easily. A vertebra is a bone in the spine that allows an animal to turn its head or body. To avert is to turn away. To divert is to turn aside onto a new path. To revert is to turn back to a former way of being.
Law Dictionary
divert
playLegal Definition of divert
1 : to turn from one course or use to another funds illegally diverted
2 : to place (a defendant) under a diversion
diverter
nounLearn More about divert
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See words that rhyme with divert Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for divert Spanish Central: Translation of divert Nglish: Translation of divert for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of divert for Arabic speakers
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