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 Though the grand jury focused on the money that flowed through Hope Florida, the Herald/Times found last year that the DeSantis administration diverted more public money to political causes. — Miami Herald, 1 Sep. 2026 Trump has forced Canada to divert resources away from the China challenge. — Chad P. Bown, Foreign Affairs, 1 Sep. 2026 But none were enough to permanently divert him from the 2,193-mile trail that runs between Springer Mountain in Georgia and Mount Katahdin in Maine. — Holly Ramer, Los Angeles Times, 31 Aug. 2026 Maryland allows voluntary diversions in which EMT crews make the call whether to divert based on a hospital's status. — Alysa Guffey, IndyStar, 31 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for divert

Recent Examples of Synonyms for divert

Verb

Dozens of content creators, like Food Beast and Costco New Deals, rushed to share the find with their followers, who were either amused, horrified or both.

— Amaris Encinas, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2026
Prominent royal commentators and people online were amused, annoyed or more by the couple’s belief that they should have been consulted before the letter went out.

— Martha Ross, Mercury News, 8 Sep. 2026

Definition of amuse

Verb

One thoughtful question could turn a confusing discussion into a conversation people can genuinely learn from.

— Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 12 Sep. 2026
Mathematics could gain faster answers while losing some of the human process that turns those answers into lasting knowledge.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 12 Sep. 2026

Definition of turn

Verb

Some of these elements are distracting, some are used as plot devices, and a few simply reek of misanthropy for its own sake.

— David Fear, Rolling Stone, 13 Sep. 2026
The pain distracted Garrett while facing a 49ers lineup that included three-time All-Pro left tackle Trent Williams.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of distract

Verb

Rotten sat alone on an old, overstuffed couch and grumbled to himself while Sidney entertained the four ladies.

— Daniel Kreps, Rolling Stone, 11 Sep. 2026
In Javier Ambrossi and Javier Calvo’s La Bola Negra (Netflix), Cruz plays a bawdy cabaret singer entertaining troops during the Spanish Civil War.

— Scott Feinberg, HollywoodReporter, 10 Sep. 2026

Definition of entertain

Verb

They are populated by characters who swing between extremes, people on the verge of disappearing one minute and of being too forward the next, either revealing too much or too little.

— Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 6 Sep. 2026
Steinem's version of feminism today is more aligned with Democrats at a time when, at least for now, the country has swung Republican.

— ABC News, ABC News, 5 Sep. 2026

Definition of swing

Verb

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
Woods, in response, regaled a tongue-in-cheek story about pitching movie ideas to Ruffalo.

— Marina Watts, Entertainment Weekly, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of regale

Verb

Tepper deflected a couple of questions about a potential new contract extension for Young.

— Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 9 Sep. 2026
Most of the time, the Earth’s and Sun’s magnetic fields aren’t aligned, meaning that, as solar wind comes across Earth, much of it is deflected away from the planet.

— Michele Laufik, Martha Stewart, 8 Sep. 2026

Definition of deflect

Verb

If someone dominates the conversation, redirect attention to what the group is trying to accomplish.

— Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 7 Sep. 2026
Meanwhile, El Palacio de Hierro in Mexico has redirected part of its open-to-buy to affordable luxury and entry price points to offset declines at the higher end.

— Miles Socha, Footwear News, 6 Sep. 2026

Definition of redirect

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diversity

divert

diverted

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“Divert.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/divert. Accessed 16 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of divert

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