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
Drivers are being diverted primarily to Waukegan Road, with limited local access maintained for residents, according to Village Engineer Jeff Hansen.
—
Daniel I. Dorfman, Chicago Tribune, 4 May 2026
The conflict in the Middle East has forced the US to divert some of its most critical military assets away from Asia, thinning its deterrence posture in a region where China is increasingly asserting its power and maintains ambitions toward Taiwan.
—Ivana Kottasová, CNN Money, 2 May 2026
The plan is for Poe, who is also wanted by Brazilian authorities, to divert security’s attention so that Creasy can sneak into Tappen’s hospital room and kill him.
—Lynsey Eidell, PEOPLE, 2 May 2026
Travelers heading west on Tuesday night should expect to be diverted at Exit 42 along Franklin Road before being able to reenter at Exit 38, and the Friday night crowd should expect the same in the opposite direction.
—Noah Daly
may 1, Idaho Statesman, 1 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for divert
Daniel I. Dorfman, Chicago Tribune, 4 May 2026
The conflict in the Middle East has forced the US to divert some of its most critical military assets away from Asia, thinning its deterrence posture in a region where China is increasingly asserting its power and maintains ambitions toward Taiwan.
—Ivana Kottasová, CNN Money, 2 May 2026
The plan is for Poe, who is also wanted by Brazilian authorities, to divert security’s attention so that Creasy can sneak into Tappen’s hospital room and kill him.
—Lynsey Eidell, PEOPLE, 2 May 2026
Travelers heading west on Tuesday night should expect to be diverted at Exit 42 along Franklin Road before being able to reenter at Exit 38, and the Friday night crowd should expect the same in the opposite direction.
—Noah Daly
may 1, Idaho Statesman, 1 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for divert
Recent Examples of Synonyms for divert
Verb
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There’s some good Armani couture, and I was amused by Amari (Simone Ashley), Miranda’s current assistant, wearing a Thom Browne uniform.—
José Criales-Unzueta,
Vanity Fair,
30 Apr. 2026
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But Anderson is clearly amused, and has already made a number of pieces for the Mayers offspring (the children use their father’s surname).—
Leah Dolan,
CNN Money,
22 Apr. 2026
Verb
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This was supposed to be the breakthrough; the moment the Magic finally turned the corner after years of rebuilding, retooling and resetting.—
Mike Bianchi,
The Orlando Sentinel,
4 May 2026
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Many people have turned a living room or office into a temporary bedroom to avoid stairs while healing.—
R. Eric Thomas,
Chicago Tribune,
4 May 2026
Verb
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Schapiro, a former university president, stepped down to avoid distracting from the ceremony.—
Staff,
FOXNews.com,
8 May 2026
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Sure, robots can be kitschy and cute, but frankly, their growing presence has begun to irk and distract me, becoming a bit too synonymous with gimmicky pan-Asian hotpot fare.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
7 May 2026
Verb
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Complimentary bike rentals, bonfires, an on-site disc golf course, and a cinema showing kid-friendly movies will keep the whole family entertained, and seasonal offerings like boat rentals and a skating rink add to the fun throughout the year.—
Beth Luberecki,
USA Today,
6 May 2026
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For families The entire property has been designed like a welcoming family home, with plenty to entertain the kids.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
6 May 2026
Verb
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The Blue Jays swung at just 18% of Detmers’ pitches that were out of the zone.—
Jeff Fletcher,
Oc Register,
9 May 2026
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Extra servos in the shoulders let the arms swing widely, while the leg joints allow crouching and shifting positions.—
Sujita Sinha,
Interesting Engineering,
8 May 2026
Verb
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Locals who once regaled her with tales of her dad’s triumphs with Umea speak of his exploits in Manchester.—
Megan Feringa,
New York Times,
1 May 2026
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Dmitry Bakanov, the general director of Roscosmos, regaled Putin with a list of Russia’s recent accomplishments in the space sector.—
Ashley Belanger,
ArsTechnica,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
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China may be happy to deflect these frictions and gain goodwill with Trump by showing its recent diplomacy with Iran as part of a good-faith effort to help Washington end the war.—
Simone McCarthy,
CNN Money,
6 May 2026
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The torsion balance rod, with smaller masses attached to it, did indeed deflect as predicted.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
6 May 2026
Verb
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Sometimes it’s measured in lives redirected.—
Mike Bianchi,
The Orlando Sentinel,
6 May 2026
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By widening the lens, Clark is able to redirect the book’s gaze from the mother toward a quizzical, sometimes critical, but not unaffectionate portrait of two generations of political activism, with the attendant self-involvement and domestic negligence.—
James Wood,
New Yorker,
4 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Divert.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/divert. Accessed 9 May. 2026.
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