DIVERSION Synonyms: 76 Similar and Opposite Words

diversion

noun

də-ˈvər-zhən

Definition of diversion

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in deviation

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

adherence

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 Cooper also took aim at California’s mental health diversion program, which allows eligible defendants to receive treatment instead of traditional criminal penalties. — Barnini Chakraborty, The Washington Examiner, 13 July 2026 In 2015, the Cook County state’s attorney’s office launched a diversion program focused on connecting people arrested for prostitution with services instead of pursuing harsh criminal penalties. — Sam Charles, Chicago Tribune, 13 July 2026 The global dataset found that physician volunteers were associated with significantly higher odds of aircraft diversion, particularly in neurologic and cardiovascular emergencies. — Sriman Swarup, STAT, 13 July 2026 Pine said the matter has been assigned for a City Attorney hearing, a pre-filing diversion that is an alternative to misdemeanor prosecution. — Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for diversion

Recent Examples of Synonyms for diversion

Noun

The debate over the development has played out amid a serious downturn in the region’s entertainment industry, with studios shifting film and television production to Georgia, New Mexico and other out-of-state locations.

— Roger Vincent, Los Angeles Times, 11 July 2026
Bands perform as the peaceful crowd saunters, with the visual entertainment of beefy men cooking barbecue on giant grills.

— Michael Goldstein, Forbes.com, 11 July 2026

Definition of entertainment

Noun

City staff told commissioners the ninth floor was a code deviation the developers requested in exchange for giving a new school and playground to Crystal Academy, along with the public courtyard.

— Michelle Marchante, Miami Herald, 8 July 2026
There are also significant deviations from US civilian law, said law professor Joshua Kastenberg on The Conversation.

— Will Barker, TheWeek, 8 July 2026

Definition of deviation

Noun

Residents raised concerns about heavy truck traffic, and negative impacts on property values, outdoor recreation spaces, trees and wildlife.

— Mars King, Twin Cities, 4 July 2026
But district officials plan to keep their promise to the state and residents to develop the property for recreation.

— Addison Wright, Chicago Tribune, 4 July 2026

Definition of recreation

Noun

If time permits, lock your home upon departure and disconnect utilities and appliances.

— CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 11 July 2026
Despite high-profile billionaire departures and complaints about costs, California is pulling in more than $335 billion in venture capital — about ten times New York — fueled by an AI boom.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2026

Definition of departure

Noun

Mornings begin with a gentle workout followed by workshops on topics like breath work and meditation, while afternoons are busy with winery tours, cooking classes, horseback riding, and other cultural delights.

— Katie Camero, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 July 2026
In another especially science-fictiony case, ticks’ very saliva can spark a severe allergy to such delights as ice cream and hamburgers.

— Meg Tirrell, CNN Money, 14 July 2026

Definition of delight

Noun

Drivers should avoid off-road detours or unpaved shortcuts suggested by map apps, as those routes can be dangerous and unsuitable for passenger and commercial vehicles, state officials said.

— Katie Langford, Denver Post, 4 July 2026
During the World Cup and the United States’ Independence Day, Alex Lima went on a detour from his yearlong, continental trek in his white 1996 Fiat Uno, which has Brazil license plates.

— Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 4 July 2026

Definition of detour

Noun

During a family fun night Monday at Summit Waves in Lee’s Summit, two incidents occurred, one involving a gun, according to the city’s parks and recreation department.

— Caroline Zimmerman, Kansas City Star, 15 July 2026
Across the press tour so far, Zendaya, stylist Law Roach, and glam crew including Casillas and Moreno have had a lot of fun playing with the movie’s concept—method dressing and method glamming.

— Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 15 July 2026

Definition of fun

Browse Nearby Words

diverseness

diversion

diversions

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Diversion.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/diversion. Accessed 16 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of diversion

noun

Example Sentences

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