DIVERT Synonyms: 111 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'divert' different from other verbs like it?

The words amuse and entertain are common synonyms of divert . While all three words mean "to pass or cause to pass the time pleasantly," divert implies distracting attention from worry or routine occupation especially by something funny. // a light comedy to divert the tired businessman

Q: In what contexts can 'amuse' take the place of 'divert'?

The meanings of amuse and divert largely overlap; however, amuse suggests that one's attention is engaged lightly. // amuse yourselves while I make dinner

Q: When would 'entertain' be a good substitute for 'divert'?

Although the words entertain and divert have much in common, entertain suggests supplying amusement by specially contrived methods. // a magician entertaining children at a party

divert

verb

də-ˈvərt

Definition of divert

as in to amuse

to cause (someone) to pass the time agreeably occupied a light comedy to divert the tired business executive

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to turn

to change the course or direction of (something) the bike race was diverted around the construction zone

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in to distract

to draw the attention or mind to something else trying to divert the child with a toy while the doctor was giving her a shot

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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How is the word divert different from other verbs like it?

The words amuse and entertain are common synonyms of divert. While all three words mean "to pass or cause to pass the time pleasantly," divert implies distracting attention from worry or routine occupation especially by something funny.

a light comedy to divert the tired businessman

In what contexts can amuse take the place of divert?

The meanings of amuse and divert largely overlap; however, amuse suggests that one's attention is engaged lightly.

amuse yourselves while I make dinner

When would entertain be a good substitute for divert?

Although the words entertain and divert have much in common, entertain suggests supplying amusement by specially contrived methods.

a magician entertaining children at a party

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 divert Machchhar also described an onboard emergency when a pregnant woman went into premature labor, forcing the crew to divert the plane. — Sheikh Saaliq, Los Angeles Times, 1 Oct. 2026 Two spare pilots, aboard in case regional rerouting pushed the original crew past duty limits, took over and diverted the plane to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia. — Mohammed Sergie, semafor.com, 1 Oct. 2026 The publishers alleged Google’s practices diverted traffic away from their sites, hurting their revenue. — Emma Roth, The Verge, 1 Oct. 2026 Millions of dollars in royalties that Smith diverted from real, deserving artists and rights holders. — Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 30 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for divert

Recent Examples of Synonyms for divert

Verb

This kind of conversation always leaves me half-amused, half-terrified.

— Alicja Turczyk, The Dial, 29 Sep. 2026
With these four words, Courtney O’Donnell gave zillennials a brain-rot character to call their own, a dash of midsummer Dada to amuse people getting nothing done on their computers.

— Kathryn VanArendonk, Vulture, 21 Sep. 2026

Definition of amuse

Verb

Democratic strategist Jay Satterfield said the goal is not to turn rural Virginia blue.

— Barnini Chakraborty, The Washington Examiner, 30 Sep. 2026
Today, about six decades after being turned into a hotel, the property is owned by the same group that owns The Witchery at the Castle—an explanation, perhaps, for its signature theatrical flavor.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Sep. 2026

Definition of turn

Verb

His philosophy posits that nature should be the focus of any space, and this is true—trappings frame and do not distract from the views.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
Those moments shouldn't distract from the fact that Las Vegas looked every bit as good as the Chiefs for most of the game, and at certain points, better.

— Dan Zaksheske OutKick, FOXNews.com, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of distract

Verb

Less than 30 minutes by car to both Bath and Bristol, there’s plenty to keep all ages entertained, but perhaps the best thing to do is to enjoy the tranquility of the home’s river views before venturing out for dinner in a nearby pub.

— Katie Silcox, Vogue, 2 Oct. 2026
Bassam Tariq After Dark Screenings These soon-to-be-cult-classics are selected to thrill, scare and entertain.

— Tanya Fedak, Variety, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of entertain

Verb

When the Spider swings past a silverish-gray newsstand filled with copies of the Daily Bugle, the frame becomes black-and-white, even in the color version.

— Harmon Siegel, Artforum, 1 Oct. 2026
There was no notice to staff that swings in blood sugar levels can cause the kind of emotional distress and behavioral outbursts that got Christian in trouble.

— Joseph Shapiro, NPR, 30 Sep. 2026

Definition of swing

Verb

Turturro regaled attendees with stories about his impressive stage career.

— Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 27 Sep. 2026
If wokeness isn’t the most pressing matter in this year’s election, neither were the other golden oldies DeSantis recalled to regale the ballroom crowd at TPepin’s Hospitality Centre about his eight years in office.

— Michael Van Sickler, Miami Herald, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of regale

Verb

Others, including Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella, who recently launched a crackdown on Venezuelan migrants in his country, will be tempted to stoke xenophobia to deflect blame for policy shortcomings.

— DAN RESTREPO, Foreign Affairs, 30 Sep. 2026
Two experiments but same result The researchers operated the QPC in a weak-backscattering regime, allowing most quasiparticles to pass while randomly deflecting a small fraction.

— Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 27 Sep. 2026

Definition of deflect

Verb

Regional traffic will be redirected to roads such as Southwest 10th Street, Powerline Road, Dixie Highway and Sample Road, and local traffic will be redirected along Military Trail and Northeast Third Avenue.

— Amaia Gavica, Miami Herald, 3 Oct. 2026
Black box data and the position of the controls in the cockpit show the speed brakes and thrust reversers, which redirect air to slow the plane, were not used.

— Alexandra Skores, CNN Money, 1 Oct. 2026

Definition of redirect

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diversity

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“Divert.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/divert. Accessed 6 Oct. 2026.

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