divert

verb di·vert \ də-ˈvərt , dī- \

|Updated on: 8 Aug 2018

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Examples: divert in a Sentence

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

Two minutes later, Croatia scored the equaliser and football was proceeding to divert away from the direction of home.

— SI.com, "England: Who Is to Blame?," 12 July 2018
In 2014, Hyatt introduced its 2020 Environmental Sustainability Vision that included goals to reduce energy consumption, emissions, and water usage, diverting waste away from landfills, and buying sustainable products like fish.

— sarah gray, Fortune, "Hyatt Hotels, Like Starbucks, Says 'Good-Bye' to Plastic Straws," 9 July 2018
Japanese officials say the drones could undertake defensive twists and turns at g-forces so high that a human being could not withstand them, and thus be used to divert incoming missiles away from a manned fighter.

— The Economist, "Tomorrow’s squadron leaders will be accompanied by drones," 5 July 2018
Florida has the ability to fund our public schools adequately yet our legislators have, time and again, chosen to divert those precious education dollars away from our schools and our students.

— miamiherald, "Leigh-Ann Buchanan," 30 June 2018
The group alleges the state plan, and Texas leaders, could divert disaster relief funds disproportionately away from low- and moderate-income people.

— andrea zelinski, Houston Chronicle, "Housing watchdogs file complaint against Texas’ Harvey recovery plan," 27 June 2018
The candidates largely agreed on many issues, including the need for more robust programs to divert low-level offenders away from jail and for better drug treatment options behind bars.

— alanna durkin richer, The Seattle Times, "Inmates, prosecutor candidates talk policy at unusual forum," 26 June 2018
Frank, who declined to comment, asked the bankruptcy court for a restraining order to keep Eagan Avenatti from diverting potential legal fees away from the firm to dodge the $10-million judgment.

— michael finnegan, latimes.com, "Stormy Daniels' crowdfunding cash could be seized in Avenatti firm bankruptcy," 13 June 2018
The shutdown will affect trolley routes 10, 11, 13, 34 and 36, all of which will be diverted to the 40th and Market Street station.

— katherine nails, Philly.com, "SEPTA's Center City trolley tunnel to close for 9-day maintenance 'blitz'," 12 July 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.