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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Angelika Ytuarte, jsonline.com, 22 Oct. 2025
In total, Alex was found to have embezzled more than $6 million from at least two dozen clients, inflating fees or expenses and diverting settlement money into his own accounts, per PBS.
—Samantha Stutsman, PEOPLE, 22 Oct. 2025
Advertisement The show has evolved from a diverting homage to ‘80s grandmasters like Steven Spielberg and Stephen King into an outright blockbuster with some of the most eye-popping action scenes on TV.
—Eliana Dockterman, Time, 20 Oct. 2025
Russia could, however, refill it with water from the Black Sea, as today Russia is diverting so much water from the Caspian that its levels are going down fast.
—Big Think, 17 Oct. 2025
No tax dollars go into the Aviation budget, and federal rules on money earned from air travel restrict local governments from diverting airport revenue to pay for general government expenses.
—Douglas Hanks, Miami Herald, 17 Oct. 2025
The crowd looked skyward as a military helicopter approached from Gaza, briefly diverting from its route to Ichilov Hospital to circle the square in a symbolic salute.
—Shane Croucher, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Oct. 2025
Threats to these sites from the outside include logging and mining in the region, developing nearby land, diverting natural water flows, and polluting the air, water and land.
—Jessica Beaudette, The Conversation, 11 Oct. 2025
The trust fund is for pension payments only, prohibiting officials from diverting that money elsewhere, Watson said.
—Dana Afana, Freep.com, 9 Oct. 2025
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
The plan included launching a mobile booking station to quickly issue citations, stricter curfew and firearm enforcement, and increasing police presence by diverting patrol officers to high-traffic entertainment areas.
—Angelika Ytuarte, jsonline.com, 22 Oct. 2025
In total, Alex was found to have embezzled more than $6 million from at least two dozen clients, inflating fees or expenses and diverting settlement money into his own accounts, per PBS.
—Samantha Stutsman, PEOPLE, 22 Oct. 2025
Advertisement The show has evolved from a diverting homage to ‘80s grandmasters like Steven Spielberg and Stephen King into an outright blockbuster with some of the most eye-popping action scenes on TV.
—Eliana Dockterman, Time, 20 Oct. 2025
Russia could, however, refill it with water from the Black Sea, as today Russia is diverting so much water from the Caspian that its levels are going down fast.
—Big Think, 17 Oct. 2025
No tax dollars go into the Aviation budget, and federal rules on money earned from air travel restrict local governments from diverting airport revenue to pay for general government expenses.
—Douglas Hanks, Miami Herald, 17 Oct. 2025
The crowd looked skyward as a military helicopter approached from Gaza, briefly diverting from its route to Ichilov Hospital to circle the square in a symbolic salute.
—Shane Croucher, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Oct. 2025
Threats to these sites from the outside include logging and mining in the region, developing nearby land, diverting natural water flows, and polluting the air, water and land.
—Jessica Beaudette, The Conversation, 11 Oct. 2025
The trust fund is for pension payments only, prohibiting officials from diverting that money elsewhere, Watson said.
—Dana Afana, Freep.com, 9 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for diverting
Adjective
-
Riccoboni doesn’t take himself too seriously, admitting that his science-fiction picture book serves up otherworldly tales that some might find only mildly amusing.—
Michael James Rocha,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
2 Nov. 2025
-
The film tells a quietly amusing story that offers a more-than-realistic dive into one of the most iconic and thoughtful young men in world history – a man who essentially invented modern angst long before the internet existed.—
Zac Ntim,
Deadline,
29 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
On the pitch, Barca are competing again, entertaining again.—
Chris Weatherspoon,
New York Times,
3 Nov. 2025
-
Located on the top floor of a historic 1920s building right by Fulton Market, this prime Airbnb is great for entertaining.—
Gabriela Ulloa,
Architectural Digest,
25 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
With goal difference not a factor in this three-match format, there was no incentive for Miami to push forward in the final period, and Nashville never looked like turning the contest around.—
The Athletic Staff,
New York Times,
25 Oct. 2025
-
But Drew Mestekmaker and North Texas’ high-flying offense wouldn’t be denied, turning a three-point deficit midway through the third quarter into a 34-point road victory, keeping their College Football Playoff hopes alive.—
Hunter Bailey,
Charlotte Observer,
25 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Karbler notes that Bigelow resisted that depiction for fear of distracting from the emotional moment.—
Jake Kring-Schreifels,
Time,
27 Oct. 2025
-
Surprisingly, the injury helped him in this regard by distracting him from overanalyzing his game.—
Devlina Sarkar,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
But feminist art is getting fun.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
6 Nov. 2025
-
Below, click on each cover star to unveil a fun fact from their year of sexy.—
Brendan Le,
PEOPLE,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
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His father, a veteran of World War II, was a burial vault salesman and would often take Fitzpatrick with him on business trips, regaling him with tales of the city.—
News Desk,
Artforum,
23 Oct. 2025
-
But his film career began in earnest with 2020's Scare Me, a stylish comedy about writers regaling each story with spooky tales in an isolated cabin during a power outage.—
Randall Colburn,
Entertainment Weekly,
18 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
This could make eating more enjoyable, leading to eating more.—
Merve Ceylan,
Health,
26 Oct. 2025
-
Taking pictures can actually make an experience more enjoyable and more lasting.—
Jack Beresford,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Trump has said the government must reopen, but also used the shutdown to cut federal positions and target programs Democrats favor, while redirecting funds to his own priorities — like covering military paychecks.—
Eleanor Pringle,
Fortune,
29 Oct. 2025
-
Deliberation briefly turned contentious when Councilmember Michael Inzunza, who represents the district where the park will be built, proposed redirecting the effort toward a larger, regional park before ultimately joining the majority.—
Walker Armstrong,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
22 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Diverting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/diverting. Accessed 7 Nov. 2025.
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