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 Fans rightfully mocked the dancing cars mounted on robot arms that played during an inexplicable diversion on Universal Studios Hollywood’s Studio Tour. — Robert Niles, Oc Register, 21 July 2026 Earlier this month, a separate United flight made an unexpected diversion after pilots reportedly noticed unusual vibrations coming from one of the aircraft’s engines. — Natalia Senanayake, PEOPLE, 21 July 2026 Any diversion from that mode is a nice change, like the first couple of singles. — Molly Mary O’Brien, Pitchfork, 17 July 2026 Sinon also takes the place of the ghost of Achilles in Hades, a diversion from the books. — Jon Root Outkick, FOXNews.com, 17 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for diversion

Recent Examples of Synonyms for diversion

Noun

For those involved with Powell Gardens, however, the anniversary was about more than adding new entertainment.

— Sophia Buonpane, Kansas City Star, 1 Aug. 2026
The 201-room property has evolved into a destination for elevated dining, craft cocktails and live entertainment.

— Martie Bowser, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026

Definition of entertainment

Noun

Many travelers speed right by on their way to the flashy amusements of Kemah or Galveston’s sandy beaches.

— Gabi De la Rosa, Southern Living, 29 July 2026
Worlds of Fun and Oceans of Fun, a combined amusement and water park that makes an easy add-on to any early season game-day itinerary.

— Taylor Haught, Kansas City Star, 24 July 2026

Definition of amusement

Noun

This stretch of ribosomal RNA (rRNA) is identical across every other animal that’s been studied, so the deviation jumped out at Han.

— Cody Cottier, Scientific American, 29 July 2026
American manhood is a fragile and precarious thing, shattered by the slightest deviation from ever-shifting norms—eating the wrong taco, tasting tofu, not eating meat, or maybe eating too much meat.

— Adam Serwer, The Atlantic, 28 July 2026

Definition of deviation

Noun

The financial services organization considered income taxes, healthcare, recreation, and demographics in creating its list.

— Patricia Doherty, Travel + Leisure, 2 Aug. 2026
The exhibit's visitors can get a chilling feel for the time, with full scale recreations of the annex rooms where Anne and her family hid from the Nazis.

— Marie Saavedra, CBS News, 1 Aug. 2026

Definition of recreation

Noun

Stribling has impressed during training camp and could have a significant role as a slot receiver following the departure of Jauan Jennings in free agency to the Minnesota Vikings.

— Chris Biderman, Sacbee.com, 31 July 2026
This is, of course, a significant departure from Tony Blair’s aim of creating a modern workforce that was largely university-educated.

— Roger Trapp, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026

Definition of departure

Noun

While art lovers and adrenaline enthusiasts will love this detour, everyone will appreciate the peaceful setting at the end of the day.

— Kelsey Mulvey, Vogue, 3 Aug. 2026
The passing of 30 years has only enhanced the appeal of the group’s Nashville detour, shifting attention from the incongruity of Ween cutting a country record to the joyous chemistry between these old pros and young punks.

— Stephen Thomas Erlewine, Pitchfork, 1 Aug. 2026

Definition of detour

Noun

My favorite way to spend an afternoon, though, was borrowing one of the hotel's bicycles and pedaling around South of Fifth, where quiet residential streets quickly give way to cafés, the marina, and the fun buzz of Ocean Drive.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 July 2026
His goal, going back to the beginning, was just for people to have fun listening his music.

— Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 29 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 5 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of diversion

noun

Example Sentences

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