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
Idaho Statesman, 12 June 2026
With nearly 20% of the world’s global oil flows initially disrupted by the war, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates are diverting more volumes via pipelines.
—Jordan Blum, Fortune, 12 June 2026
In May, Hawthorne got court permission to look into its allegations that the state was improperly diverting some of its funding to Fairmount Park in downstate Collinsville.
—Robert McCoppin, Chicago Tribune, 12 June 2026
The Moores profited off the scheme by placing themselves in positions on the boards that resulted in them receiving many of the ultimate payments, as well as diverting substantial funds paid by the participants to themselves, according to the news release.
—Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10 June 2026
Scene for scene, the movie is a vigorous and diverting ride.
—Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 9 June 2026
He was caught and, in April, pleaded guilty of diverting more than $270 million in Medicaid money.
—Las Vegas Review-Journal, Twin Cities, 7 June 2026
Creating parallel capabilities overseas risks duplicating existing infrastructure while diverting attention and resources from the interventions most likely to bring the outbreak under control.
—Krutika Kuppalli, STAT, 5 June 2026
Concurrently, the Met botch their way through their investigation, diverting all their attention to an entirely innocent man while ignoring the serial offender under their nose.
—Jon O'Brien, IndieWire, 3 June 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
This journey requires them to climb fish ladders over dams, navigate culverts diverting streams under roads, and ascend up to elevations of 7,000 feet.
—Idaho Statesman, 12 June 2026
With nearly 20% of the world’s global oil flows initially disrupted by the war, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates are diverting more volumes via pipelines.
—Jordan Blum, Fortune, 12 June 2026
In May, Hawthorne got court permission to look into its allegations that the state was improperly diverting some of its funding to Fairmount Park in downstate Collinsville.
—Robert McCoppin, Chicago Tribune, 12 June 2026
The Moores profited off the scheme by placing themselves in positions on the boards that resulted in them receiving many of the ultimate payments, as well as diverting substantial funds paid by the participants to themselves, according to the news release.
—Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10 June 2026
Scene for scene, the movie is a vigorous and diverting ride.
—Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 9 June 2026
He was caught and, in April, pleaded guilty of diverting more than $270 million in Medicaid money.
—Las Vegas Review-Journal, Twin Cities, 7 June 2026
Creating parallel capabilities overseas risks duplicating existing infrastructure while diverting attention and resources from the interventions most likely to bring the outbreak under control.
—Krutika Kuppalli, STAT, 5 June 2026
Concurrently, the Met botch their way through their investigation, diverting all their attention to an entirely innocent man while ignoring the serial offender under their nose.
—Jon O'Brien, IndieWire, 3 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for diverting
Adjective
-
It’s been nearly two months since Morgan Neville’s amusing and thoroughly superficial Lorne, in which the Oscar-winning documentarian tried and failed to get the Saturday Night Live creator to let down his guard.—
Daniel Fienberg,
HollywoodReporter,
10 June 2026
-
But perhaps the most amusing depiction was how Taylor contrasted the stay-at-home moms (and dads) with Marissa and Jenny, with most of the sartorial showdowns taking place during school pickups and dropoffs.—
Clarissa Cruz,
Los Angeles Times,
9 June 2026
Verb
-
At a steakhouse, tableside presentation, professional servers and beautiful slabs of beef start entertaining diners before the first bite.—
David Hammond,
Chicago Tribune,
8 June 2026
-
Cozy and casual, the round bar and bistro-style wood tables are usually packed with workers at the end of the day, softball teams celebrating a win, locals from the neighborhood, people who left but can’t stay away for long, and entertaining local characters that defy description.—
Tanya Edwards,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
8 June 2026
Verb
-
The show follows Charles, Oliver and Mabel, three eccentric neighbors, who find purpose and chaos in solving murders that hit close to home through their true-crime podcast, turning their New York apartment building into a playground of mystery and mischief.—
Andreas Wiseman,
Deadline,
10 June 2026
-
After 26 years of helping Charlotte-Mecklenburg residents through financial and housing difficulties, Crisis Assistance Ministry CEO Carol Hardison is turning a new page.—
Laura Horne,
Charlotte Observer,
10 June 2026
Verb
-
The formal obligation to bow or curtsy will force targets to bend a knee and break eye contact—a perfect opening for the President to place something distracting like a Twix bar on their heads.—
Dahlia Gallin Ramirez,
New Yorker,
9 June 2026
-
Reid plays this so well, but the direction is a little over the top, with drug-trip visuals that are too distracting to follow the dense-as-ever disjointed narration.—
Rebecca Alter,
Vulture,
8 June 2026
Adjective
-
With such popular attractions as Little Island, the Whitney, the Highline, and designer shopping just blocks away, the hotel is ideal for those who want to get out and explore—but still want to have lots of fun options to come back to.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
10 June 2026
-
The Ritz Kids program offers fun diversions for children, including a popular Kids Night Out program in which children can have dinner, watch a movie, and play games while parents enjoy a child-free evening.—
Allison Tibaldi,
USA Today,
9 June 2026
Verb
-
His mind was as sharp as a tack, again regaling us with amazing hockey stories.—
Pierre LeBrun,
New York Times,
5 June 2026
-
Telling his fellow actors about this, Powell came off a bit like a war veteran regaling his fellow servicemembers with a particularly harrowing story.—
Jason P. Frank,
Vulture,
20 May 2026
Verb
-
The careers and locations links on the site appear not to work, redirecting back to Figure Health’s landing page.—
Charlie Warzel,
The Atlantic,
10 June 2026
-
His solution is less about protecting junior roles from AI and more about redirecting them.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
8 June 2026
Adjective
-
Another beachgoer said the seaweed made spending time in the water less enjoyable than usual.—
Kelly McGreal,
FOXNews.com,
13 June 2026
-
The common thread is finding something sustainable and enjoyable enough to do regularly.—
Samantha Agate,
Sacbee.com,
13 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Diverting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/diverting. Accessed 14 Jun. 2026.
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