Definition of diversionnext
1
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 Friday’s draft decision includes new caveats suggested by the State Water Board limiting water diversions from the Delta to 986,000 acre-feet and requiring the project to align with Bay-Delta planning rules to protect fisheries. Chaewon Chung march 23, Sacbee.com, 23 Mar. 2026 Located in the high desert to the east of California’s Sierra Nevada, the lake dried up in the early 20th century as a result of water diversions by the city of Los Angeles. Literary Hub, 23 Mar. 2026 This was what happened to a couple who reached out to our diversion team. Paul Delessio, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Mar. 2026 Under Healey’s $4 million request, Bradley fears the program would suffer from limited training capacity and fewer available clinicians and diversion options across Massachusetts. Lance Reynolds, Boston Herald, 21 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for diversion
Recent Examples of Synonyms for diversion
Noun
  • Even as Queen City Quarter struggles to attract new businesses, three of its tenants face eviction for unpaid rent at the former Epicentre food and entertainment complex in uptown Charlotte.
    Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 25 Mar. 2026
  • That the campaign has become a grind, with little entertainment on offer and an intransigence in the manager’s approach, has added to the sense of angst.
    Matt Woosnam, New York Times, 25 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • But then Bennett later pulled the same trick at the Beverly Hilton hotel, to McCartney’s amusement.
    Althea Legaspi, Rolling Stone, 29 Mar. 2026
  • No one wants to be a jester, debasing oneself for a more powerful person’s amusement.
    Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 27 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Where spatial curvature is large, the deviations from straight-line paths are large, and the rate at which time passes can dilate significantly as well.
    Big Think, Big Think, 24 Mar. 2026
  • In what amounted to something of a deviation from the standard CBS/TNTS presentation, no ad sales execs participated in the call.
    Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 20 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • The interview was filmed in front of a live audience in a recreation of the iconic Stewart ranch-style home.
    Kate Perez, USA Today, 24 Mar. 2026
  • In recent years, Lyons has amassed nearly 1 million followers on Instagram and half a million on TikTok for his hilarious impersonations of outdoor recreation stereotypes.
    Frederick Dreier, Outside, 24 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • His departure came as editor-in-chief Bari Weiss reshapes the network after the Paramount Skydance merger.
    Caitlin Huston, HollywoodReporter, 23 Mar. 2026
  • Travelers to San Diego International Airport were encouraged to plan ahead and arrive two hours before domestic flights and three hours prior to international departures.
    City News Service, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • In particular, cast member Heidi Gardner at one point laughed so hard that the sketch ground to a halt for about 20 seconds, as the audience cheered with delight.
    Brendan Morrow, USA Today, 25 Mar. 2026
  • However, this is the second Kickstarter from ViewDock – its first running last year and successfully delivered to the apparent delight of backers.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 23 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • There must be a balance between competing points of view so that none are excluded during deliberations; a balance between short-term detours and long-term goals.
    David Brooks, The Atlantic, 25 Mar. 2026
  • The detour cost 5,000 pounds ($6,700), forcing them to scrap next year’s vacation.
    K Oanh Ha, Bloomberg, 25 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Videos on the Instagram page for the restaurant show a packed establishment late at night with young people having fun and drinking, with a long line outside.
    Jesse Sarles, CBS News, 27 Mar. 2026
  • General Daily Insight for March 27, 2026 Having fun can make intimidating schedules much easier to handle.
    Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 27 Mar. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Diversion.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/diversion. Accessed 30 Mar. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on diversion

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster