divert

verb

di·vert | \ də-ˈvərt

, dī-\

diverted; diverting; diverts

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 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

Other Words from divert Synonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about divert

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Choose the Right Synonym for 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

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 on the Web

This new special documents the story of British King George VI’s elaborate ruse to divert German attention from the Normandy landings in 1944. — Ed Stockly, latimes.com, "What's on TV Wednesday: ‘Grown-ish’ on Freeform," 4 June 2019 But who cares about a profound lack of evidence when your aim is to divert attention from the legitimate conclusions of the Mueller report? — Lynn Yaeger, Vogue, "The Week in Washington: First Amendment Threats and Grotesque Taunts," 26 May 2019 Jason Marczak, director of the Atlantic Council’s Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center, told Fox News the explosions afforded Maduro the chance to divert attention from the numerous problems facing Venezuela. — Elizabeth Llorente, Fox News, "Alleged attack on Maduro allows him to crack down harder on opposition, experts say," 6 Aug. 2018 The hearing exposed clear partisan divides in the House judiciary and oversight committees, as Democrats accused Republicans of trying to divert attention from Trump's ties to Russia through an excessive focus on Strzok. — Author: Eric Tucker, Mary Clare Jalonick, Anchorage Daily News, "FBI agent clashes with GOP at hearing on Russia probe," 13 July 2018 Whether the first lady anticipated - or was warned - that her outerwear would divert attention from what her staff described as a humanitarian mission, her choice to wear it in public seems to be deliberate. — Emily Heil, chicagotribune.com, "Why didn't someone stop Melania from wearing that jacket? That's not how this White House works.," 23 June 2018 There isn't a coaching search to divert Divac's attention. — Jason Jones, sacbee, "The fate of Vlade Divac and the Kings hinges on getting this draft right," 20 June 2018 And finally, Trump has attempted to divert attention back to Clinton’s deleted emails and her private email server, a topic of much discussion during the 2016 campaign. — Ryan Teague Beckwith, Time, "Read the 191 Arguments President Trump Has Made Against the Mueller Investigation," 7 June 2018 And while awards shows find ways to divert all the attention to everything but the awards, the Beeries tend to stay keenly focused on the music — or rather, the music videos. — Michael Andor Brodeur, BostonGlobe.com, "Cowboy up! The CMT Awards are here.," 4 June 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.