as in amusing
providing amusement or enjoyment
some tall and diverting tales were told by the festival's roving storyteller
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in entertaining
to cause (someone) to pass the time agreeably occupied
a light comedy to divert the tired business executive
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in turning
to change the course or direction of (something)
the bike race was diverted around the construction zone
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in distracting
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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of diverting
BostonGlobe.com, 26 July 2021
The plan also would call for constant testing of players and staff, which could mean diverting resources from public health care.
—Nick Piecoro, azcentral, 6 Apr. 2020
Judging by comments on social media, many of those who tuned in found Mr. Bone to be the most diverting thing about the debate.
—Jonah Engel Bromwich, New York Times, 10 Oct. 2016
Per The New York Times: Judging by comments on social media, many of those who tuned in found Mr. Bone to be the most diverting thing about the debate.
—Charles P. Pierce, Esquire, 10 Oct. 2016
Both popular and science media show an outsized fondness for brain imaging studies, inspiring much work more diverting than informative.
—David Dobbs, WIRED, 4 July 2006
James Ward, USA Today, 15 May 2026
Chipmakers are diverting capacity toward high-bandwidth memory for AI servers, which leaves thinner supply for conventional DRAM used in PCs, phones and other electronics.
—Ron Schmelzer, Forbes.com, 15 May 2026
Murdaugh is arrested on felony charges, accused of diverting millions of dollars away from the estate of Satterfield, the housekeeper.
—Bill Chappell, NPR, 13 May 2026
Social Security benefits are funded by workers currently paying payroll taxes, meaning diverting today’s tax payments would affect today’s retirees.
—Jason Ma, Fortune, 9 May 2026
The expansion of vouchers is diverting resources away from neighborhood schools.
—Clinton McCracken, The Orlando Sentinel, 9 May 2026
The plane ended up diverting south towards the country's largest city, Almaty.
—Colson Thayer, PEOPLE, 8 May 2026
But the shortages of Patriot defense systems remain a concern amid reports that the Pentagon is considering diverting advanced defensive weapons earmarked for Ukraine to the Middle East.
—Sudarsan Raghavan, New Yorker, 28 Apr. 2026
The education budget nonetheless continues to go up, hurting taxpayers and diverting funds from other important services.
—Marc Novicoff, The Atlantic, 28 Apr. 2026
Adjective
But you were also treated to a diverting and delightful narrative, rich with insider’s lore.
—BostonGlobe.com, 26 July 2021
The plan also would call for constant testing of players and staff, which could mean diverting resources from public health care.
—Nick Piecoro, azcentral, 6 Apr. 2020
Judging by comments on social media, many of those who tuned in found Mr. Bone to be the most diverting thing about the debate.
—Jonah Engel Bromwich, New York Times, 10 Oct. 2016
Per The New York Times: Judging by comments on social media, many of those who tuned in found Mr. Bone to be the most diverting thing about the debate.
—Charles P. Pierce, Esquire, 10 Oct. 2016
Both popular and science media show an outsized fondness for brain imaging studies, inspiring much work more diverting than informative.
—David Dobbs, WIRED, 4 July 2006
Verb
Williamson admitted to diverting $225,000 from a dormant Beccera campaign account to Sean McCluskie, Becerra’s longtime chief of staff.
—James Ward, USA Today, 15 May 2026
Chipmakers are diverting capacity toward high-bandwidth memory for AI servers, which leaves thinner supply for conventional DRAM used in PCs, phones and other electronics.
—Ron Schmelzer, Forbes.com, 15 May 2026
Murdaugh is arrested on felony charges, accused of diverting millions of dollars away from the estate of Satterfield, the housekeeper.
—Bill Chappell, NPR, 13 May 2026
Social Security benefits are funded by workers currently paying payroll taxes, meaning diverting today’s tax payments would affect today’s retirees.
—Jason Ma, Fortune, 9 May 2026
The expansion of vouchers is diverting resources away from neighborhood schools.
—Clinton McCracken, The Orlando Sentinel, 9 May 2026
The plane ended up diverting south towards the country's largest city, Almaty.
—Colson Thayer, PEOPLE, 8 May 2026
But the shortages of Patriot defense systems remain a concern amid reports that the Pentagon is considering diverting advanced defensive weapons earmarked for Ukraine to the Middle East.
—Sudarsan Raghavan, New Yorker, 28 Apr. 2026
The education budget nonetheless continues to go up, hurting taxpayers and diverting funds from other important services.
—Marc Novicoff, The Atlantic, 28 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for diverting
Adjective
-
And the observations, questions, and assertions in our articles are varying degrees of surprising, insightful, and amusing.—
Vulture Editors,
Vulture,
12 May 2026
-
Thankfully, Babitz did exactly that — no rambling thoughts, petty accusations or amusing missives left unsaid.—
Michael Schaub,
Los Angeles Times,
12 May 2026
Verb
-
The Cavs won 116-109, at least entertaining the idea of getting back in this series.—
Dan Santaromita,
New York Times,
11 May 2026
-
The main deck is geared toward entertaining, offering a spacious main salon, a formal dining area, and multiple other relaxation spaces with panoramic views.—
Rachel Cormack,
Robb Report,
11 May 2026
Verb
-
The roughly 4,800-square-foot home is wrapped in expansive windows overlooking the lake and mountains beyond, turning the landscape into a constantly changing backdrop.—
Abby Montanez,
Robb Report,
13 May 2026
-
Another way to decorate your privacy fence is by turning it into a full-on plant wall.—
Tessa Cooper,
The Spruce,
13 May 2026
Verb
-
However, many within Starmer’s party say a leadership contest would be distracting for the party and disastrous for the country.—
Alexander Smith,
NBC news,
12 May 2026
-
Schapiro, a former university president, stepped down to avoid distracting from the ceremony.—
Staff,
FOXNews.com,
8 May 2026
Adjective
-
What feels fun may also be meaningful.—
Tarot.com,
The Orlando Sentinel,
12 May 2026
-
The chest pockets also add a fun style element to a basic blouse.—
Nicol Natale,
PEOPLE,
12 May 2026
Verb
-
The movie ends with Johnny regaling Baraka with tales of his heroism.—
Aaron Couch,
HollywoodReporter,
14 May 2026
-
Tony drove us around one afternoon, regaling us with stories about Fogo’s history.—
Akash Kapur,
Travel + Leisure,
7 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Walking between Valmiermuiža, Labietis, Taka, and Nurme makes for one of the easiest and most enjoyable beer crawls in Europe.—
Jim Dobson,
Forbes.com,
16 May 2026
-
Swing bike rack is ergonomically enjoyable and performs well mechanically.—
Andrew P. Collins,
The Drive,
13 May 2026
Verb
-
Guilfoyle said helpful approaches include increasing enrichment and sniff-based activities on walks, providing more structured chewing opportunities, treating underlying nausea, reflux, pain or anxiety if present, and redirecting with food or toys before the dog starts grazing heavily.—
Diana Bocco,
USA Today,
15 May 2026
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Boyle said the legislation would offset the lost revenue by redirecting about $30 billion in existing federal subsidies currently going to oil and gas companies into the Highway Trust Fund.—
John Parkinson,
ABC News,
11 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Diverting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/diverting. Accessed 18 May. 2026.
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