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
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
Mineral wealth such as gold offers one solution—though diverting labor and resources from more sustainable industries could prove catastrophic if prices suddenly drop.
—Charlie Campbell, Time, 15 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
The airport has been nearly 20 years in the making, a process that involved flattening hills, diverting rivers and bridging creeks.
—Ayushi Shah, CNN Money, 8 Oct. 2025
Trump's executive order calls for diverting some of those funds.
—Brian Mann, NPR, 5 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
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
Mineral wealth such as gold offers one solution—though diverting labor and resources from more sustainable industries could prove catastrophic if prices suddenly drop.
—Charlie Campbell, Time, 15 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
The airport has been nearly 20 years in the making, a process that involved flattening hills, diverting rivers and bridging creeks.
—Ayushi Shah, CNN Money, 8 Oct. 2025
Trump's executive order calls for diverting some of those funds.
—Brian Mann, NPR, 5 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for diverting
Adjective
-
Judging by the amusing premiere episode, there is some potential to the motley crew of this government service.—
Kelly Lawler,
USA Today,
11 Oct. 2025
-
The other twist is that Noelle is addicted to a podcast (performed by Adwa Alasiri) that dishes out both true crime stories and helpful makeup tips, an amusing combination of gloss and gore.—
Jordan Mintzer,
HollywoodReporter,
7 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Emporium Selection Halloween Cheese Assortment ALDI’s Emporium Selection Halloween Cheese Assortment is perfect for entertaining this fall.—
Elizabeth Fogarty,
Better Homes & Gardens,
10 Oct. 2025
-
This cake stand has also been blessed by the queen of entertaining herself, Martha Stewart.—
Kate McGregor,
Architectural Digest,
7 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Families are turning dinner into an activity by using pizza dough or premade crusts to mold fun, spooky shapes, like ghosts, pumpkins, and bats, before topping them with sauce, cheese, and all their favorite fixings.—
Elizabeth Fogarty,
Better Homes & Gardens,
18 Oct. 2025
-
With income inequality growing and more seniors falling into poverty each year, this is an ominous sign for the largest surge of Americans turning 65 daily in history, experts said.—
Medora Lee,
USA Today,
18 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Sets are decorated with vintage posters and props, enough to give texture without distracting.—
Peter Debruge,
Variety,
8 Oct. 2025
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The whole idea is to choose something that isn't too distracting.—
Sarah Lyon,
Southern Living,
5 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Either way, this offense should be fun to watch all season, especially if/when everyone gets healthy.—
Austin Mock,
New York Times,
16 Oct. 2025
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With the uncertainties of the world looming, makeup should be uplifting, fun, energetic, and forward-thinking.—
Essence,
Essence,
15 Oct. 2025
Verb
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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
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Barry Humphries, a longtime friend of Birley’s, did his Dame Edna schtick on both nights, regaling the audience with tales of a love affair with his pal.—
Samantha Conti,
Footwear News,
18 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Join us for an enjoyable hour with one of our favorite guys.—
Space.com Staff,
Space.com,
18 Oct. 2025
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Our priority is to ensure that all in attendance have a safe and enjoyable experience at the ballpark.—
Billal Rahman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Sarah Jessica Parker and Amy Sedaris were sitting front row, with Parker whipping out her phone to film Reese.—
Eleanor Pringle,
Fortune,
16 Oct. 2025
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While summer may be over, nothing is stopping you from whipping this thing out for the holiday season.—
Wilder Davies,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
7 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Diverting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/diverting. Accessed 20 Oct. 2025.
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