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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of divert
Critics pointed to his role in the dissolution of the monasteries, an initiative of the English Reformation that saw most of the kingdom’s abbeys and priories shut down, their art and relics destroyed and their wealth diverted to fill the king’s coffers.
—
Meilan Solly, Smithsonian Magazine, 20 Mar. 2025
Analysts suggest that a 10% tariff may not push Canadian producers to divert exports from the U.S. Gulf Coast, where much of Canada’s crude is processed.
—Dan Eberhart, Forbes, 19 Mar. 2025
In Rubens’s version, Adam leans strenuously forward, his midsection torqued in a desperate effort to divert Eve’s glazed eyes from temptation.
—Rebecca Mead, The New Yorker, 17 Mar. 2025
The new measure would increase the threshold for wage-theft claims that the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment could enforce across all industries, diverting cases away from more expensive lawsuits.
—Nick Coltrain, The Denver Post, 16 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for divert
Meilan Solly, Smithsonian Magazine, 20 Mar. 2025
Analysts suggest that a 10% tariff may not push Canadian producers to divert exports from the U.S. Gulf Coast, where much of Canada’s crude is processed.
—Dan Eberhart, Forbes, 19 Mar. 2025
In Rubens’s version, Adam leans strenuously forward, his midsection torqued in a desperate effort to divert Eve’s glazed eyes from temptation.
—Rebecca Mead, The New Yorker, 17 Mar. 2025
The new measure would increase the threshold for wage-theft claims that the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment could enforce across all industries, diverting cases away from more expensive lawsuits.
—Nick Coltrain, The Denver Post, 16 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for divert
Recent Examples of Synonyms for divert
Verb
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Skip them all and grab The Creative Entrepreneur, a compendium of advice from 10 industry titans whose insights will inform, amuse, and inspire you.—
airmail.news,
airmail.news,
15 Mar. 2025
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Writer by day, Comic by night, who aims to inform, inspire, and amuse.—
Jennifer Jay Palumbo,
Forbes,
4 Mar. 2025
Verb
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What began as a neighborhood favorite quickly turned into a national obsession.—
Stephanie Gravalese,
Forbes,
18 Mar. 2025
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Ahead of the snow, there is a likelihood a line of storms form along a cold front and some of these storm could turn severe due to damaging wind gusts and large hail, though tornadoes are unlikely.—
Kenton Gewecke,
ABC News,
18 Mar. 2025
Verb
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That means having a high-quality microphone and video camera so others aren’t distracted by your technology. 8.—
Joseph Liu,
Forbes,
17 Mar. 2025
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Investors looking to distract themselves with a drink might, in fact, feel even more pain.—
Yeo Boon Ping,
CNBC,
14 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Carter gave up smoking and took up swimming and—a basis for a musical, perhaps—entertained Bette Midler and her husband.—
Nathan Heller,
The New Yorker,
15 Mar. 2025
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At Willows, California, she was entertained at a local duck club and invited to go along on a duck shoot.—
Ben East,
Outdoor Life,
14 Mar. 2025
Verb
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There were joyful scenes on the ISS as Wilmore swung open the station's hatch and rang the ship's bell when the new arrivals came.—
Mark Davis,
Newsweek,
16 Mar. 2025
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Brianna seems to swing between two moods: intense enthusiasm, intense repugnance.—
Joyce Carol Oates,
The New Yorker,
16 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Brody worked the room like an architect with a plan, getting animated in a discussion with Board of Governors member Rita Wilson and then regaling SAG Award orator Jane Fonda at the bar.—
Bryan Alexander,
USA TODAY,
27 Feb. 2025
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One hundred years from now — if artificial intelligence hasn’t put journalists out of work — a future writer might regale us with the story of the next Cecile Steele.—
Kenny Torrella,
Vox,
9 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Middle East crisis — explained The report sparked a retort from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has deflected personal responsibility in the security failure.—
Daniel Estrin,
NPR,
5 Mar. 2025
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Now Moore is proactively blaming President Donald Trump, grasping at straws to deflect the blame.—
John Teichert,
Baltimore Sun,
3 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Trump has argued the executive branch has leeway to cut or redirect spending to save money or make government more efficient.—
Bart Jansen,
USA TODAY,
15 Mar. 2025
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Two Moscow airports were closed for safety reasons and several flights to the Russian capital were redirected to other airports, according to state-run news agency TASS.—
Tricia Escobedo,
CNN,
11 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Divert.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/divert. Accessed 28 Mar. 2025.
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