1
as in amused
to cause (someone) to pass the time agreeably occupied
a light comedy to divert the tired business executive
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in turned
to change the course or direction of (something)
the bike race was diverted around the construction zone
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in distracted
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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of diverted
Four small planes were diverted by the Air Force after breaching restricted airspace around the stadium, but the aircraft were never considered threats.
—
Robert Salonga, Mercury News, 4 Feb. 2026
The revelation raised concerns about conflicts of interest in American foreign policy, especially given the scrutiny surrounding the US-UAE chip deal over worries the tech could be diverted to China.
—semafor.com, 3 Feb. 2026
The funds have been diverted from a department that was already understaffed and undergoing a formal staffing study.
—Nicole Sganga, CBS News, 3 Feb. 2026
After the Spurs departed North Carolina on Sunday morning, however, their plane was diverted to Atlanta because of a minor equipment issue, according to the San Antonio Express-News.
—Jason Beede, The Orlando Sentinel, 1 Feb. 2026
Significant portions are diverted to lawyers’ fees and financial backers, while taxpayers shoulder the cost for decades through reduced services, higher taxes – or both.
—Jaime Huff, Oc Register, 31 Jan. 2026
No injuries were reported, but 114 was closed and traffic was being diverted to Texas 121 south and Texas 360 south.
—Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 Jan. 2026
The airport canceled or diverted flights after the crash and remained closed on Monday, according to a statement posted on the Bangor Maine Police Department Facebook page.
—Alexandra Koch, FOXNews.com, 27 Jan. 2026
All traffic is being diverted to 465.
—Jen Guadarrama, IndyStar, 27 Jan. 2026
Robert Salonga, Mercury News, 4 Feb. 2026
The revelation raised concerns about conflicts of interest in American foreign policy, especially given the scrutiny surrounding the US-UAE chip deal over worries the tech could be diverted to China.
—semafor.com, 3 Feb. 2026
The funds have been diverted from a department that was already understaffed and undergoing a formal staffing study.
—Nicole Sganga, CBS News, 3 Feb. 2026
After the Spurs departed North Carolina on Sunday morning, however, their plane was diverted to Atlanta because of a minor equipment issue, according to the San Antonio Express-News.
—Jason Beede, The Orlando Sentinel, 1 Feb. 2026
Significant portions are diverted to lawyers’ fees and financial backers, while taxpayers shoulder the cost for decades through reduced services, higher taxes – or both.
—Jaime Huff, Oc Register, 31 Jan. 2026
No injuries were reported, but 114 was closed and traffic was being diverted to Texas 121 south and Texas 360 south.
—Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 Jan. 2026
The airport canceled or diverted flights after the crash and remained closed on Monday, according to a statement posted on the Bangor Maine Police Department Facebook page.
—Alexandra Koch, FOXNews.com, 27 Jan. 2026
All traffic is being diverted to 465.
—Jen Guadarrama, IndyStar, 27 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for diverted
Verb
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In short, Altman may say he was amused by Anthropic’s latest slight, but given his heated rhetoric, the gloves are starting to come off.—
Victor Tangermann,
Futurism,
5 Feb. 2026
-
If guests are startled — or, more likely, amused — at your father’s being tieless and wearing sneakers, that is his problem.—
Judith Martin,
Sun Sentinel,
26 Jan. 2026
Verb
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For everyone other than the Hoosiers and Hurricanes, the page had been turned along with the calendar.—
Kirk Kenney,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
27 Jan. 2026
-
The innocent girl turned jaded seductress, peeling off her sheer black lingerie to pose for the camera.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
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As Amodei warned this week, AI may yet be positioned to inflict maximum damage on a hapless and perpetually distracted human race.—
Dallas Morning News,
Dallas Morning News,
1 Feb. 2026
-
Reigns, then, took care of Fatu when Fatu was distracted by the happenings between McIntyre and Rhodes.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
1 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Unlike other game-day snacks like chips or popcorn, where flavors and textures can get a little one-note after a while, ALDI’s Cajun Trail Mix keeps your taste buds entertained with different flavors—salty, sweet, and spicy—and different textures, too.—
Tara Massouleh McCay,
Southern Living,
6 Feb. 2026
-
For families From bingo and splash dodgeball to movie nights and art classes, there’s plenty to keep families entertained.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Except Fresno State issued a coach’s challenge, claiming Green had swung his arm and hit his defender in the neck.—
Mark Zeigler,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
5 Feb. 2026
-
Latino voters swung rightward in 2024.—
Jonathan Chait,
The Atlantic,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The Cheers alum regaled how his mom showed up on set of Indecent Proposal squealing like a 16-year old in her fandom of Redford, who warmly received her.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
23 Jan. 2026
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While the team behind KPop Demon Hunters walked to the stage to accept the award for Best Motion Picture - Animated at the 2026 Golden Globes, announcers Marc Malkin and Kevin Frazier regaled the audience with facts about the film and its win.—
Ryan Coleman,
Entertainment Weekly,
12 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Lukas Dostal was 4 1/2 minutes from Anaheim’s first shutout in 137 games when Jordan Eberle redirected Jared McCann’s slap shot in front for his team-high 20th goal.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
4 Feb. 2026
-
Lukas Dostal was 4 1/2 minutes from Anaheim's first shutout in 137 games when Jordan Eberle redirected Jared McCann's slap shot in front for his team-high 20th goal.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
4 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Atkinson whipped his arm against the nearby referee before the whistle was blown.—
Jackson Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
1 Feb. 2026
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In an age when polarized politics have whipped extremists into a frenzy and disagreeing with someone’s views justifies physical assault among fringe elements, the assault on Omar is a new abysmal milestone of societal degradation.—
Boston Herald editorial staff,
Boston Herald,
29 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Diverted.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/diverted. Accessed 7 Feb. 2026.
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