1
as in amused
to cause (someone) to pass the time agreeably occupied
a light comedy to divert the tired business executive
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in turned
to change the course or direction of (something)
the bike race was diverted around the construction zone
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in distracted
to draw the attention or mind to something else
trying to divert the child with a toy while the doctor was giving her a shot
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of diverted
So, when funds meant to ease those pressures are diverted elsewhere, the impact is immediate.
—
Jason Gallion, Baltimore Sun, 2 Apr. 2026
Data centers have sparked backlash from communities across the state that are worried about higher utility bills, strained power grids and water being diverted away from families to cool servers at massive data centers.
—Brendan Steinhauser, Sun Sentinel, 1 Apr. 2026
The flight crew initiated bomb threat protocol after hearing the threat and diverted the plane to Detroit Metro Airport, where it was isolated for a full security check, according to an FBI affidavit filed with the complaint.
—Eric Henderson, CBS News, 1 Apr. 2026
With ample reserves and deep pockets, analysts say some Russian shipments bound for China could be diverted to more desperate countries.
—Anton L. Delgado, Los Angeles Times, 31 Mar. 2026
Noland hopes the millions saved in federal grant money will be diverted to further improvements along the Monon Corridor.
—Doug Ross, Chicago Tribune, 31 Mar. 2026
LaGuardia was temporarily shut down as air traffic was diverted.
—Arkansas Online, 24 Mar. 2026
So far, cargo headed from the Far East to the Middle East, which could have been diverted to Malaysia, Singapore or Sri Lanka, hasn’t caused backups in those markets.
—Kate Nishimura, Sourcing Journal, 23 Mar. 2026
Traffic will be diverted to the southbound CR 920 exit.
—Hedija Spahalic, Dallas Morning News, 23 Mar. 2026
Jason Gallion, Baltimore Sun, 2 Apr. 2026
Data centers have sparked backlash from communities across the state that are worried about higher utility bills, strained power grids and water being diverted away from families to cool servers at massive data centers.
—Brendan Steinhauser, Sun Sentinel, 1 Apr. 2026
The flight crew initiated bomb threat protocol after hearing the threat and diverted the plane to Detroit Metro Airport, where it was isolated for a full security check, according to an FBI affidavit filed with the complaint.
—Eric Henderson, CBS News, 1 Apr. 2026
With ample reserves and deep pockets, analysts say some Russian shipments bound for China could be diverted to more desperate countries.
—Anton L. Delgado, Los Angeles Times, 31 Mar. 2026
Noland hopes the millions saved in federal grant money will be diverted to further improvements along the Monon Corridor.
—Doug Ross, Chicago Tribune, 31 Mar. 2026
LaGuardia was temporarily shut down as air traffic was diverted.
—Arkansas Online, 24 Mar. 2026
So far, cargo headed from the Far East to the Middle East, which could have been diverted to Malaysia, Singapore or Sri Lanka, hasn’t caused backups in those markets.
—Kate Nishimura, Sourcing Journal, 23 Mar. 2026
Traffic will be diverted to the southbound CR 920 exit.
—Hedija Spahalic, Dallas Morning News, 23 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for diverted
Verb
-
Footage of an American in Spain handling a pickpocket thief went viral when it was shared on social media, as viewers were amused by his quick reaction.—
Thomas Westerholm,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Apr. 2026
-
Jessica Hecht, playing one of the hostages, adds her typically off-beat depth, and I was most amused by John Ortiz as the FBI agent with the standard G-man voice and personality to match.—
Chris Jones,
New York Daily News,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The Wolverines had only three swats against Arizona, but that was a 91-73 win in a game that was supposed to be the best of the tournament but turned into something else.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
7 Apr. 2026
-
Entryway closets in the hotel's suites were turned into mini kitchenettes.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
7 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Woods was far more comfortable with telling officers he was distracted versus possibly impaired.—
Doug Turnbull,
AJC.com,
5 Apr. 2026
-
Black, naturally, also sings a verse about forgetting the wise words of a man in the Tibetan mountains because he was distracted by a terse text from his wife.—
Rima Parikh,
Vulture,
5 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The kids' menu is tempting for adults and youngsters alike, and if in doubt, a ride in the golf carts that come with each villa will be more than enough to keep everyone entertained.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 Apr. 2026
-
The placemats themselves are designed to be super-portable in their pack and carry bag, so kids can easily carry them out for dinner and stay entertained.—
Tory Johnson,
ABC News,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Construction, likely lifted by favorable weather, swung to a net gain of 26,000 jobs versus a 13,000-job loss in February.—
Alicia Wallace,
CNN Money,
3 Apr. 2026
-
Smith swung and missed at two cutters from Red Sox starter Brayan Bello to begin the plate appearance.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Decades ago, Americans regaled their friends and neighbors with tales of their recent travels via slideshows presented at home on a Kodak Carousel projector.—
Keith Pandolfi,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
19 Mar. 2026
-
Nash’s Santa Clara teams had that under coach Dick Davey, whose lessons in mental toughness were regaled in Nash’s Basketball Hall of Fame enshrinement speech.—
Cam Inman,
Mercury News,
18 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Money intended to help offset energy costs and support long-term investments was redirected to plug budget holes.—
Jason Gallion,
Baltimore Sun,
2 Apr. 2026
-
That money can be redirected, sometimes automatically, to cover other unpaid obligations, including tax debt, and because this process often happens behind the scenes, some taxpayers may not realize what's coming until their refund is reduced or gone entirely.—
Angelica Leicht,
CBS News,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
For 10 minutes, Boyd took in the scene as the flags whipped above the center-field scoreboard, Cubs infielders took grounders and stadium workers finished final preparations before 39,712 fans streamed into the ballpark.—
Meghan Montemurro,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Mar. 2026
-
This pizza has soppressata, whipped ricotta and drizzles of hot honey.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
27 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Diverted.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/diverted. Accessed 8 Apr. 2026.
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