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
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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of diversion
The Talent Allocation Problem One of the most underappreciated costs of internal tooling is talent diversion.
—
Abdo Riani, Forbes.com, 26 Jan. 2026
The Houthis are responsible for the mass diversion of commercial vessels away from the Red Sea, having attacked vessels in the waterway with drones and missiles since late 2023.
—Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 26 Jan. 2026
But if director Michael Greene’s sophomore feature shortchanges the musical performances that should be its main selling point for a pedestrian crime-drama arc, this nonetheless emerges a painless diversion, one likely to become a guilty-pleasure favorite for fans of the acts showcased.
—Dennis Harvey, Variety, 23 Jan. 2026
His speech at the Detroit Economic Club included a few diversions but was overall more targeted.
—Will Gottsegen, The Atlantic, 23 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for diversion
Abdo Riani, Forbes.com, 26 Jan. 2026
The Houthis are responsible for the mass diversion of commercial vessels away from the Red Sea, having attacked vessels in the waterway with drones and missiles since late 2023.
—Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 26 Jan. 2026
But if director Michael Greene’s sophomore feature shortchanges the musical performances that should be its main selling point for a pedestrian crime-drama arc, this nonetheless emerges a painless diversion, one likely to become a guilty-pleasure favorite for fans of the acts showcased.
—Dennis Harvey, Variety, 23 Jan. 2026
His speech at the Detroit Economic Club included a few diversions but was overall more targeted.
—Will Gottsegen, The Atlantic, 23 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for diversion
Recent Examples of Synonyms for diversion
Noun
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The overwhelming motive for the early fakes was to provide entertainment — about three-quarters of the images in the exhibition were created for this purpose, Rooseboom said.—
Lianne Kolirin,
CNN Money,
5 Feb. 2026
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The rival bids have drawn scrutiny from antitrust experts and lawmakers, who worry that either death could reduce competition in an entertainment industry already dominated by streaming giants.—
Claire Carter,
The Washington Examiner,
5 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Although disappointed that the audio leaked, many players look back on it with amusement.—
Doug Haller,
New York Times,
27 Jan. 2026
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Universal Studios Japan just made the first move in making our Poké friends into an amusement-park staple.—
Alejandra Gularte,
Vulture,
23 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Any statistical deviations from the predictions of the Standard Model could signify the involvement of unknown elementary particles.—
Quanta Magazine,
Quanta Magazine,
26 Jan. 2026
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This improves inspection consistency and enables early identification of deviations without interrupting ongoing operations.—
Sabbir Rangwala,
Forbes.com,
23 Jan. 2026
Noun
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The closures come as part of the yearslong overhaul of the interstate through the heart of the city, a project that is expected to snarl traffic and disrupt lakeside recreation through at least 2033.—
Alex Driggars,
Austin American Statesman,
3 Feb. 2026
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Funding goes toward road and sidewalk improvements, stormwater facilities, street lighting and the development and maintenance of parks and recreation facilities.—
Taylor O'Connor,
Kansas City Star,
3 Feb. 2026
Noun
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However, the consistent arctic air masses have driven our actual average down to just 15 degrees, a full 10-degree departure from the norm.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
27 Jan. 2026
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Also on Saturday, airlines cancelled 35 departures (83%) from Northwest Arkansas National Airport and 34 arrivals (89%).—
Anne Li,
Arkansas Online,
27 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Spices and seasonings make our taste buds – and sometimes our bodies – dance in delight.—
Cody Godwin,
USA Today,
3 Feb. 2026
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The roar was one thing, but even more memorable were the gasps of shock and delight from the fans when the finish was shown on the screens.—
Jack Pitt-Brooke,
New York Times,
2 Feb. 2026
Noun
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What is the detour when the Hickman Road on-ramp is closed?—
Lucia Cheng,
Des Moines Register,
3 Feb. 2026
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During this time, there will be closures and detours in place.—
Brian Sherrod,
CBS News,
2 Feb. 2026
Noun
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It must be understood that historical references to this team are like prompts on an online dating profile — not under any circumstances to be taken seriously, but a fun jumping off point.—
Leah Dolan,
CNN Money,
6 Feb. 2026
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Each detail represented the young princess’s developing aesthetic—one that was vibrant, feminine, and fun.—
Bailey Bujnosek,
InStyle,
5 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Diversion.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/diversion. Accessed 9 Feb. 2026.
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