divert

verb di·vert \ də-ˈvərt , dī- \

Updated on: 19 Apr 2018

Definition of divert

intransitive verb

: to turn aside : deviate

studied law but diverted to diplomacy

transitive verb

1 a : to turn from one course or use to another : deflect

divert traffic to a side street

diverting funds to other projects

b : 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

See divert defined for English-language learners

See divert defined for kids

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

Gaming in Hainan would divert the torrent of gambling-loving Chinese away from these rival hubs, while limiting capital outflow and ensuring gaming revenue stays in the mainland economy.

— Bloomberg.com, "Property, Travel Stocks Soar After China Announces Measures to Develop Hainan," 16 Apr. 2018
Now, decades after the U.S. government began regulating tobacco advertising, these techniques are being diverted toward getting young people to try e-cigarettes.

— kate keller, Smithsonian, "Ads for E-Cigarettes Today Hearken Back to the Banned Tricks of Big Tobacco," 12 Apr. 2018
Understandably, that diverts a decent chunk of the spotlight from March and April MLS matches, which can be entertaining on their own but tough to fit into a larger narrative as teams try to find their way.

— brian straus, SI.com, "MLS Tiers, Week 6: Imbalanced Schedule, CCL Commitments Cloud League Hierarchy," 10 Apr. 2018
Trump diverted from his rampage, briefly, to address the situation in Syria.

— kevin liptak, CNN, "Cohen raid ignites Trump's rage and sparks speculation," 9 Apr. 2018
Bioswales helped properly treat and divert stormwater, and reduce flooding.

— patrick sisson, Curbed, "In Milwaukee, a public housing project aims to revitalize a neighborhood," 5 Apr. 2018
In others, districts diverted students to alternative programs or schools for kids with behavioral problems.

— maria polletta, azcentral, "Civil-rights complaint: Glendale school district refused to enroll Salvadoran refugee," 4 Apr. 2018
But in many cases, scientists are finding that constant photo taking actually diminishes our ability to recall our experiences, diverts our attention, and takes us out of the moment.

— brian resnick, Vox, "What constant smartphone photography is doing to our memories," 28 Mar. 2018
That allegation injected a darker strain into what has otherwise been a diverting media spectacle.

— isobel thompson, The Hive, "Trump Eyes Accused Wife-Beater Rob Porter for a Late-Season Return," 27 Mar. 2018

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 15th century

in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

See Words from the same year

divert Synonyms

Synonyms

amuse, disport, entertain, regale, solace;

Near Antonyms

bore, jade;

drain, enervate, exhaust, fatigue, tire, wear, wear out, weary;

aggravate, annoy, bother, bug, chafe, disturb, exasperate, fret, gall, grate, harass, harry, irk, nettle, peeve, perturb, pester, pique, upset, vex;

beguile, bewitch, captivate, charm, delight, enchant, enthrall (or enthral), fascinate;

grip, hypnotize, intrigue, mesmerize;

coddle, gratify, humor, indulge, mollycoddle, pamper, please, pleasure, spoil;

appease, comfort, conciliate, console, content, mollify, oblige, pacify, placate, propitiate, soothe;

Synonym Discussion of divert

amuse, divert, entertain mean to pass or cause to pass the time pleasantly. amuse suggests that one's attention is engaged lightly.

- amuse yourselves while I make dinner

divert implies distracting attention from worry or routine occupation especially by something funny.

- a light comedy to divert the tired businessman

entertain suggests supplying amusement by specially contrived methods.

- a magician entertaining children at a party

DIVERT Defined for English Language Learners

divert

verb

Definition of divert for English Language Learners

: to change the direction or use of (something)
: to take (attention) away from someone or something
: to take the attention of (someone) away from something or someone

DIVERT Defined for Kids

divert

verb di·vert \ də-ˈvərt , dī- \

Definition of divert for Students

diverted; diverting

1 : to turn from one path or use to another

Police diverted traffic.

2 : to turn the attention away : distract

Bagman opened his mouth to ask Harry something, but Percy diverted him.
—J. K. Rowling, Goblet of Fire

3 : to give pleasure to : amuse

Paint and paper diverted the children.

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.