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diversion

noun

də-ˈvər-zhən How to pronounce diversion (audio)
Definition of diversionnext
1
as in entertainment
someone or something that provides amusement or enjoyment a scavenger hunt was organized as a diversion for the guests at the party

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in amusement
the act or activity of providing pleasure or amusement especially for the public movies and television became two of the most popular and influential diversions of the 20th century

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3
as in deviation
a turning away from a course or standard carefully weighed testimony that did not contain the slightest diversion from the truth

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of diversion Plus, the chocolate brown color is a chic diversion from her white and black tennis shoes. — Essence Wiley, InStyle, 5 Sep. 2026 But, after criticism from Mayor Karen Bass and others, the district attorney downgraded the counts to misdemeanors with a diversion agreement that will probably allow Flores to avoid any time behind bars. — Los Angeles Times, 4 Sep. 2026 Levine Cava proposed spending $2 million next year on the county’s eviction-diversion program, matching current funding. — Douglas Hanks, Miami Herald, 4 Sep. 2026 Less snowpack, as well as more water diversions for agricultural and urban uses, has brought the lake down to less than 33% full and 8 feet below its minimum healthy elevation. — Melanie Stetson Freeman, Christian Science Monitor, 1 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for diversion
Recent Examples of Synonyms for diversion
  1. entertainment
  2. amusement
  3. deviation
  4. recreation
  5. departure
  6. delight
  7. detour
  8. fun
Noun
  • Some of the finer details to try and maximize entertainment include a novel approach with lane allocation.
    — Liam Tharme, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
  • For years, Anthony’s job entailed watching hours of news and entertainment broadcasts, then flagging moments that might be funny or interesting enough to highlight during monologues.
    — Jesse McLaren, Vulture, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of entertainment
Noun
  • Rabbitohs coach Wayne Bennett, a legendary figure in the game and not known to smile often, was among the staff drafted in to help dress Arrow for the occasion — much to Arrow’s own amusement.
    — Michael Bailey, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026
  • In stories centered on objects ranging from a button to a tin soldier, young authors recognize the it-narrative’s potential not only for amusement but for showcasing the power of the small and marginal.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of amusement
Noun
  • This configuration is designed to remain operational despite manufacturing deviations and wear that develops during extended operation.
    — Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 10 Sep. 2026
  • For the remainder of the year, the Global Port Tracker does not forecast too much deviation from the end of 2025.
    — Glenn Taylor, Footwear News, 10 Sep. 2026
Definition of deviation
Noun
  • Her 7 year old and 5 year old are enrolled in a recreation league for football and cheerleading, but the $398 cost is putting a strain on the family's finances, Patterson said.
    — Betty Lin-Fisher, USA Today, 6 Sep. 2026
  • Once officers connected the missing girl with the dog that had been found near the recreation center, a massive law enforcement search began.
    — Yana Johnson, NBC news, 6 Sep. 2026
Definition of recreation
Noun
  • The program is called Gateside by TSA PreCheck, allowing non-passengers to be at airport gates for arrivals and departures.
    — Kaitlyn McCormick, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2026
  • Domenach said one of the most significant departures from the graphic novel was shifting the center of gravity toward the female characters.
    — Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of departure
Noun
  • The crowd responded enthusiastically to the proposal, and many of the president’s supporters expressed delight at the prospect of receiving $5,000.
    — Washington Examiner Staff, The Washington Examiner, 10 Sep. 2026
  • The calm, disciplined dive master, Rashid Suleiman, is the country’s first Tanzanian to hold that post – and a positive delight to explore the reefs with.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 Sep. 2026
Definition of delight
Noun
  • There’s never going to be optimal city management of road closures and detours to everyone’s liking, no matter how many public hearings of driver angst and outcry take place.
    — Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 6 Sep. 2026
  • Lovelace and Southern have compellingly stitched together interviews, performance clips, audience reactions, and a few detours into the lives of individual fans.
    — Richard Lawson, HollywoodReporter, 5 Sep. 2026
Definition of detour
Noun
  • There was nothing that had escaped being stamped with the Festival’s ubiquitous emblem–sweets, cigarettes, perfume, even sandals–Specially designed to keep you cool and smartly shod for fun-loving Festival walking!
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 15 Sep. 2026
  • Buildings drip with embellishments; monuments to the city’s writers, artists and musicians seem to be on every corner, and the public transit system and plentiful taxis made for a fun and easy whistle-stop tour of some of Budapest’s main sites.
    — Lucy Handley, CNBC, 14 Sep. 2026
Definition of fun

Browse Nearby Words

diverseness
diversion
diversions
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Cite this Entry

“Diversion.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/diversion. Accessed 15 Sep. 2026.

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