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
The firm’s data is showing a notable event occurred between early Sunday and early Monday, when at least six vessels — two very large crude carriers, three chemical tankers, and one refined products carrier—diverted their courses away from the Strait of Hormuz.
—
Lori Ann Larocco, CNBC, 23 June 2025
When immigration officials proceeded anyway, the plane was diverted to a U.S. naval base in Djibouti, where the migrants were housed in a converted shipping container under harsh conditions as legal advocates awaited updates.
—Gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 June 2025
In August 2024, the airline cancelled or diverted the flight three days in a row, according to SFGATE.
—Colson Thayer, People.com, 23 June 2025
The state is reviving a tax amnesty program and diverting $137 million from the road fund to cover state employee health benefits, a move analysts warn could weaken long-term infrastructure funding.
—Elaine Mallon, The Washington Examiner, 16 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for divert
Lori Ann Larocco, CNBC, 23 June 2025
When immigration officials proceeded anyway, the plane was diverted to a U.S. naval base in Djibouti, where the migrants were housed in a converted shipping container under harsh conditions as legal advocates awaited updates.
—Gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 June 2025
In August 2024, the airline cancelled or diverted the flight three days in a row, according to SFGATE.
—Colson Thayer, People.com, 23 June 2025
The state is reviving a tax amnesty program and diverting $137 million from the road fund to cover state employee health benefits, a move analysts warn could weaken long-term infrastructure funding.
—Elaine Mallon, The Washington Examiner, 16 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for divert
Recent Examples of Synonyms for divert
Verb
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Joe Marinelli, the veteran character actor who amused and attracted admirers as the cross-dressing mobster Bunny Tagliatti on the NBC soap opera Santa Barbara, has died.—
Mike Barnes,
HollywoodReporter,
24 June 2025
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Apparently, the League was not amused when the Stanley Cup was dunked into seawater.—
Ben Crandell,
Sun Sentinel,
18 June 2025
Verb
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The downside is that each method has a potential reaction from the AGI or ASI that could turn things ugly.—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes.com,
2 July 2025
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With an additional retrofit kit, the Allegro 2 can be converted into a tower, turning it into a double duty piece of equipment.—
Amy Wilkinson,
SELF,
1 July 2025
Verb
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The president’s critics, meanwhile, accuse him of using the scandal to distract from stalled reforms and growing public dissatisfaction.—
Antonio Maria Delgado,
Miami Herald,
30 June 2025
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While the housing bill got lost among numerous priorities during this year’s legislative session, top leaders are now laser-focused on the issue and will not be distracted.—
Christopher Keating,
Hartford Courant,
30 June 2025
Verb
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The band’s repertoire will include a variety of music to entertain audiences of all ages.—
Post-Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
30 June 2025
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There’s no pressure to perform, no need to entertain or constantly talk.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
30 June 2025
Verb
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Jessica Alba and her 17-year-old daughter Honor swung by Wimbledon on their way back from Venice, Italy, where the pair attended the Bezos-Sánchez wedding.—
Elizabeth Logan,
Glamour,
30 June 2025
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Anyone hankering for a Beaver Nugget break on their travels can swing by the new spot, which is located right off I-81 in Rockingham County.—
Melissa Locker,
Southern Living,
30 June 2025
Verb
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Arriving onstage hours late, Stone regaled the astonished crowd with a diatribe against Jerry Goldstein, his manager since the early ’90s.—
Chris Morris,
Variety,
9 June 2025
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For example, Braun regaled how on a particularly windy day in West Palm Beach, the shuttle stopped along its route seemingly out of nowhere.—
Abigail Hasebroock,
Sun Sentinel,
15 May 2025
Verb
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The Argentine forward couldn’t believe his luck when Jhon Arias’ deflected cross dropped to him in the six-yard box.—
Joseph O'Sullivan,
Forbes.com,
30 June 2025
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In the sixth, down 2-1, Ward led off the bottom half with a double, on a ground ball deflected by a diving attempt by Nationals third baseman Brady House.—
Benjamin Royer,
Los Angeles Times,
29 June 2025
Verb
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Cons: Some roles redirect to external sites, and there are occasional off-target matches.—
Caroline Castrillon,
Forbes.com,
29 June 2025
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Public input does prompt the county to redirect money toward services and programs.—
Lucas Robinson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
29 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Divert.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/divert. Accessed 10 Jul. 2025.
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