1
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
2
as in to turn
to change the course or direction of (something)
the bike race was diverted around the construction zone
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of divert
The latter was looking to win a throw off the former with his clearance, but Aaronson managed to divert it back off the defender for a Leeds ball.
—
Beren Cross, New York Times, 25 Oct. 2025
Pureval said the move won't affect a city program that diverts nonviolent calls to mental health teams.
—David Ferrara, Cincinnati Enquirer, 24 Oct. 2025
The Pentagon diverted money in its budget to prevent military families from missing their paychecks earlier this month.
—Mason Leath, ABC News, 23 Oct. 2025
The plan included launching a mobile booking station to quickly issue citations, stricter curfew and firearm enforcement, and increasing police presence by diverting patrol officers to high-traffic entertainment areas.
—Angelika Ytuarte, jsonline.com, 22 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for divert
Beren Cross, New York Times, 25 Oct. 2025
Pureval said the move won't affect a city program that diverts nonviolent calls to mental health teams.
—David Ferrara, Cincinnati Enquirer, 24 Oct. 2025
The Pentagon diverted money in its budget to prevent military families from missing their paychecks earlier this month.
—Mason Leath, ABC News, 23 Oct. 2025
The plan included launching a mobile booking station to quickly issue citations, stricter curfew and firearm enforcement, and increasing police presence by diverting patrol officers to high-traffic entertainment areas.
—Angelika Ytuarte, jsonline.com, 22 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for divert
Recent Examples of Synonyms for divert
Verb
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The Special Olympics are not amused after Kid Rock used an ableist slur while making a joke in a recent Fox News interview.—
Anthony Robledo,
USA Today,
31 Oct. 2025
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The footage left internet viewers both amused and confused.—
Lucy Notarantonio,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Yuileta Lopez, a teen growing up in Texas, decides to turn her anger and outrage into activism.—
Amber McBride,
Literary Hub,
5 Nov. 2025
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The surge in demand is already driving up energy prices and fueling political backlash as sprawling data centers turn into election-season flashpoints in the communities where they are being constructed.—
Sharon Goldman,
Fortune,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Consider having some extra treats on hand to distract your dog and encourage them to be brave puppies.—
Cody Godwin,
USA Today,
30 Oct. 2025
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Once written, the script’s fantastic promise distracted its readers from the fatal holes in its plot.—
Elizabeth D. Samet,
Foreign Affairs,
29 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The production draws on a long history of curiosity amusements in which people looked to be entertained by viewing others with unusual or non-normative bodies, especially in nineteenth-century Western circus and dime museums.—
JSTOR Daily,
JSTOR Daily,
30 Oct. 2025
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But let us, for a second, entertain that fantasy.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
29 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The election will be a test of whether Mamdani, and his focus on lowering the cost of living, can bring back nonwhite voters who swung to the right.—
Eduardo Cuevas,
USA Today,
3 Nov. 2025
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When the Ferris wheel goes, the cars are supposed to swing with it, but it got stuck.—
Sarah Rumpf-Whitten,
FOXNews.com,
3 Nov. 2025
Verb
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His father, a veteran of World War II, was a burial vault salesman and would often take Fitzpatrick with him on business trips, regaling him with tales of the city.—
News Desk,
Artforum,
23 Oct. 2025
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But his film career began in earnest with 2020's Scare Me, a stylish comedy about writers regaling each story with spooky tales in an isolated cabin during a power outage.—
Randall Colburn,
Entertainment Weekly,
18 Oct. 2025
Verb
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As Hellebuyck scrambled to get back into position, the puck appeared to deflect off the goalie’s skate and into the net.—
Jess Myers,
Twin Cities,
29 Oct. 2025
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In his first comments since, Barmore, who declined to speak after the game, deflected Wednesday when asked what led to his apparent benching.—
Andrew Callahan,
Boston Herald,
29 Oct. 2025
Verb
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If Pittman had brought her car to Dutch’s Auto Service, employees would have redirected her to the dealership for repairs, Mortensen said.—
Gina Lee Castro,
jsonline.com,
30 Oct. 2025
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Without accurate data, there is no way to see what is working and what needs to be redirected to have the biggest effect.—
Claire Dodds,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Divert.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/divert. Accessed 5 Nov. 2025.
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