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 proposal, intended to alleviate chronic flooding in the region, involves constructing two 12-foot-diameter tunnels to divert stormwater from federal reservoirs to the Gulf of Mexico—a much narrower and shallower option than previously studied by local authorities.
—
Theo Burman, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Sep. 2025
While the process looks different today, and much is diverted to more modern structures like shopping malls, water diversion in places such as Maui used to be laid out naturally flowing from the mountains to the ocean in land division called ahupuaʻa.
—Jessica Rendall, Space.com, 1 Sep. 2025
The Taliban was and still is adept at infiltrating aid organizations and diverting aid to fill their coffers.
—Beth Bailey, FOXNews.com, 1 Sep. 2025
The crash also caused a fuel leak, forcing authorities to shut down the roadway and divert traffic onto Ives Dairy Road.
—Milena Malaver, Miami Herald, 29 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for divert
Theo Burman, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Sep. 2025
While the process looks different today, and much is diverted to more modern structures like shopping malls, water diversion in places such as Maui used to be laid out naturally flowing from the mountains to the ocean in land division called ahupuaʻa.
—Jessica Rendall, Space.com, 1 Sep. 2025
The Taliban was and still is adept at infiltrating aid organizations and diverting aid to fill their coffers.
—Beth Bailey, FOXNews.com, 1 Sep. 2025
The crash also caused a fuel leak, forcing authorities to shut down the roadway and divert traffic onto Ives Dairy Road.
—Milena Malaver, Miami Herald, 29 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for divert
Recent Examples of Synonyms for divert
Verb
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Powerful real estate developer Frank (Tracy Letts) looks at Lee like a pesky bug that keeps flitting about, yet he’s also amused by his antics.—
Alan Sepinwall,
Rolling Stone,
4 Sep. 2025
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On TikTok, Kobe's antics left viewers amused.—
Lydia Patrick,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Their next goal is to turn the system into a practical tool for early fire detection.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
3 Sep. 2025
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While wildfire season in Arizona used to arrive in spring and reliably end by the monsoon, fire seasons have turned into fire years as the blazes become more erratic and frequent.—
John Leos,
AZCentral.com,
3 Sep. 2025
Verb
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That will distract any views of the neighbors’ patios or houses that might linger until the shrubs fill in.—
Neil Sperry,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
5 Sep. 2025
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Some medications can help distract the brain, and those are usually tried first.—
Sandee LaMotte,
CNN Money,
4 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The material contained on this site is intended to inform, entertain and educate the reader and in no way represents an inducement to gamble legally or illegally or any sort of professional advice.—
Stephanie Kuzydym,
The Courier-Journal,
3 Sep. 2025
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The top streamer surprised supporters with an appearance from legendary hitmaker Mariah Carey as the two spent a fun evening chopping it up and entertaining his viewers together.—
Regina Cho,
VIBE.com,
3 Sep. 2025
Verb
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For a locker room that’s been through a lot because the front office swung and missed on the worst quarterback trade in NFL history.—
Zac Jackson,
New York Times,
8 Sep. 2025
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Busta also received an assist from Papoose and Joyner Lucas, all of them sharing lyrical wordplay and seamless tradeoffs as Busta swung between his trademark dichotomy of rapping to gruff bellowing.—
Melissa Ruggieri,
USA Today,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Appel also regaled the audience with his strategy that resulted in Springsteen getting on the cover of both Time and Newsweek.—
Caryn Rose,
Variety,
7 Sep. 2025
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The 21-time PGA Tour winner engaged a small group on a practice green, going over technique, drills and flatstick psychology while also regaling them with stories about golf greats—like how keeping an eye on the hole helped Beth Daniel transform her putting game.—
Mike Dojc,
Forbes.com,
22 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Netanyahu has repeatedly attempted to deflect responsibility for the security lapses during the attacks of October 7, 2023, blaming security chiefs instead.—
Tal Shalev,
CNN Money,
2 Sep. 2025
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Asked about Trump’s attempt to remove her, senators mostly deflected Tuesday by citing her pending lawsuit or questioning why Cook hadn’t more adamantly defended her innocence.—
Eleanor Mueller,
semafor.com,
2 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Deadheading redirects energy from seed production to root and vegetative growth of annuals and perennials.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
5 Sep. 2025
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To counter this dynamic, Newhouse thinks lawmakers, those in charge of news coverage, and even interested onlookers should redirect attention away from individual perpetrators.—
Charlie Warzel,
The Atlantic,
4 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Divert.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/divert. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
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