as in amusing
providing amusement or enjoyment
some tall and diverting tales were told by the festival's roving storyteller
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in entertaining
to cause (someone) to pass the time agreeably occupied
a light comedy to divert the tired business executive
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in turning
to change the course or direction of (something)
the bike race was diverted around the construction zone
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in distracting
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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of diverting
BostonGlobe.com, 26 July 2021
The plan also would call for constant testing of players and staff, which could mean diverting resources from public health care.
—Nick Piecoro, azcentral, 6 Apr. 2020
Judging by comments on social media, many of those who tuned in found Mr. Bone to be the most diverting thing about the debate.
—Jonah Engel Bromwich, New York Times, 10 Oct. 2016
Per The New York Times: Judging by comments on social media, many of those who tuned in found Mr. Bone to be the most diverting thing about the debate.
—Charles P. Pierce, Esquire, 10 Oct. 2016
Both popular and science media show an outsized fondness for brain imaging studies, inspiring much work more diverting than informative.
—David Dobbs, WIRED, 4 July 2006
Editorial Board, Washington Post, 10 Apr. 2026
State officials have relied on the practice of diverting all hazmat trucks off I-70 and over 11,990-foot Loveland Pass.
—Bruce Finley, Denver Post, 9 Apr. 2026
The Iran war is currently a top priority for the United States and risks diverting resources that Kyiv needs, such as air defense systems, while providing Russia with windfall profits through high energy prices.
—Lorne Cook, Los Angeles Times, 31 Mar. 2026
Prosecutors said the scheme netted Smith more than $8 million by diverting royalty payments away from legitimate artists.
—Alice Gibbs, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 2026
London — The world, hungry for oil, got a modest reprieve earlier this month when Saudi Arabia began diverting millions of barrels of crude —ordinarily destined for ships transiting the blockaded Strait of Hormuz — to its Red Sea port of Yanbu.
—Anna Cooban, CNN Money, 30 Mar. 2026
Nordseth also argued the city is illegally diverting money collected through a 2% increase in hotel occupancy taxes, approved by voters in 2022.
—Everton Bailey Jr, Dallas Morning News, 27 Mar. 2026
Gut Digestion slows at altitude due to a lack of oxygen in the intestines and the body diverting blood to more critical organs and the muscles that are being used to climb.
—Brad Stulberg, Outside, 26 Mar. 2026
Skeptics say Luari’s expansion that was too fast-paced — spanning just five years — diverting her attention from the individual restaurants.
—Kenneth R. Gosselin, Hartford Courant, 26 Mar. 2026
Adjective
But you were also treated to a diverting and delightful narrative, rich with insider’s lore.
—BostonGlobe.com, 26 July 2021
The plan also would call for constant testing of players and staff, which could mean diverting resources from public health care.
—Nick Piecoro, azcentral, 6 Apr. 2020
Judging by comments on social media, many of those who tuned in found Mr. Bone to be the most diverting thing about the debate.
—Jonah Engel Bromwich, New York Times, 10 Oct. 2016
Per The New York Times: Judging by comments on social media, many of those who tuned in found Mr. Bone to be the most diverting thing about the debate.
—Charles P. Pierce, Esquire, 10 Oct. 2016
Both popular and science media show an outsized fondness for brain imaging studies, inspiring much work more diverting than informative.
—David Dobbs, WIRED, 4 July 2006
Verb
The Middle East conflict has required diverting key systems from Asia.
—Editorial Board, Washington Post, 10 Apr. 2026
State officials have relied on the practice of diverting all hazmat trucks off I-70 and over 11,990-foot Loveland Pass.
—Bruce Finley, Denver Post, 9 Apr. 2026
The Iran war is currently a top priority for the United States and risks diverting resources that Kyiv needs, such as air defense systems, while providing Russia with windfall profits through high energy prices.
—Lorne Cook, Los Angeles Times, 31 Mar. 2026
Prosecutors said the scheme netted Smith more than $8 million by diverting royalty payments away from legitimate artists.
—Alice Gibbs, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 2026
London — The world, hungry for oil, got a modest reprieve earlier this month when Saudi Arabia began diverting millions of barrels of crude —ordinarily destined for ships transiting the blockaded Strait of Hormuz — to its Red Sea port of Yanbu.
—Anna Cooban, CNN Money, 30 Mar. 2026
Nordseth also argued the city is illegally diverting money collected through a 2% increase in hotel occupancy taxes, approved by voters in 2022.
—Everton Bailey Jr, Dallas Morning News, 27 Mar. 2026
Gut Digestion slows at altitude due to a lack of oxygen in the intestines and the body diverting blood to more critical organs and the muscles that are being used to climb.
—Brad Stulberg, Outside, 26 Mar. 2026
Skeptics say Luari’s expansion that was too fast-paced — spanning just five years — diverting her attention from the individual restaurants.
—Kenneth R. Gosselin, Hartford Courant, 26 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for diverting
Adjective
-
All were intended to be amusing.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
15 Apr. 2026
-
That his hand version of Rocky could climb onto Gosling, and interact with the actor more directly, allowed for an amusing rapport to develop instantly between them.—
Carlos Aguilar,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Prepare this strawberry dessert the night before entertaining to make hosting a breeze.—
Cameron Beall,
Southern Living,
11 Apr. 2026
-
Her Malibu digs have six bedrooms and six-and-a-half bathrooms to host a slew of guests, while a double-height foyer and a billiards room make entertaining a breeze.—
Bailey Bujnosek,
InStyle,
10 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Your 12th House of Silence hosts ambitious Mars, who’s cheering on Pluto in your 10th House of Audiences, turning private prep into public credibility without draining you.—
Tarot.com,
Hartford Courant,
16 Apr. 2026
-
But the team wasted no time turning a new leaf.—
Juli McDonald,
CBS News,
16 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Also, consider banning visual displays by an attendee of anything other than the participant’s location – visual message displays, inappropriate background material, distracting behavior or inappropriate attire should not be permitted.—
Kelly G. Richardson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
14 Apr. 2026
-
Administrators found that without their phones, students were using school laptops for distracting activities like watching YouTube or playing games, rather than learning.—
Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez,
Fortune,
10 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Robert enjoys learning fun facts about different creatures and can talk about them with excitement and curiosity.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
15 Apr. 2026
-
Meanwhile, the coffee scene is becoming more fun.—
Chris Malloy,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
14 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Tony drove us around one afternoon, regaling us with stories about Fogo’s history.—
Akash Kapur,
Travel + Leisure,
7 Apr. 2026
-
Robbie is at her finest when regaling Charli XCX or Jessie Ware and her mom about her clubbing days.—
Fran Hoepfner,
Vulture,
12 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Big Tech lawsuits, such as the one coming out of California, shift blame away from guardians to tech companies who are simply making their products maximally enjoyable.—
Maggie Anders,
Oc Register,
7 Apr. 2026
-
But there is something enjoyable — again, exciting — about this kind of showing off.—
Ray Mark Rinaldi,
Denver Post,
6 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Constriction of blood vessels beneath the skin restricts blood flow near the surface, reducing heat loss and redirecting warmer blood toward the body core.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
8 Apr. 2026
-
But Miami at least salvaged the tie in the 81st minute as Luis Suarez, who’d just been subbed-in, finished with his left foot in close, redirecting a header by German Berterame off a Mateo Silvetti corner.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
5 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Diverting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/diverting. Accessed 16 Apr. 2026.
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