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
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
Armed groups in South Sudan, including the military, have a long history of diverting humanitarian supplies for military purposes.
—ABC News, 28 Apr. 2026
Known for their pest-repellent properties, marigolds also act as trap crops, diverting pests from valuable vegetables.
—Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 Apr. 2026
Construction groups are pushing a ballot measure that would require Colorado to spend all motor vehicle and gas tax revenue on fixing the state’s roads, diverting more than $500 million a year from other priorities.
—Bruce Finley, Denver Post, 27 Apr. 2026
After seeing the image, the Daejeon city government issued an emergency text warning residents of a wolf in the area, and police even reportedly showed the photo at a press briefing while diverting resources to search the area, the BBC reported.
—Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 24 Apr. 2026
In 2021, the president’s son Teodoro was sanctioned in the United Kingdom for diverting millions of dollars, which officials claimed were used to purchase luxury mansions, private jets, and a $275,000 glove once worn by Michael Jackson.
—Nimi Princewill, CNN Money, 22 Apr. 2026
Becerra’s top aide, Sean McCluskie, plead guilty in November to diverting $225,000 from Becerra’s dormant campaign funds and using the money to inflate his salary.
—Ben Paviour, Sacbee.com, 15 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
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
Armed groups in South Sudan, including the military, have a long history of diverting humanitarian supplies for military purposes.
—ABC News, 28 Apr. 2026
Known for their pest-repellent properties, marigolds also act as trap crops, diverting pests from valuable vegetables.
—Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 Apr. 2026
Construction groups are pushing a ballot measure that would require Colorado to spend all motor vehicle and gas tax revenue on fixing the state’s roads, diverting more than $500 million a year from other priorities.
—Bruce Finley, Denver Post, 27 Apr. 2026
After seeing the image, the Daejeon city government issued an emergency text warning residents of a wolf in the area, and police even reportedly showed the photo at a press briefing while diverting resources to search the area, the BBC reported.
—Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 24 Apr. 2026
In 2021, the president’s son Teodoro was sanctioned in the United Kingdom for diverting millions of dollars, which officials claimed were used to purchase luxury mansions, private jets, and a $275,000 glove once worn by Michael Jackson.
—Nimi Princewill, CNN Money, 22 Apr. 2026
Becerra’s top aide, Sean McCluskie, plead guilty in November to diverting $225,000 from Becerra’s dormant campaign funds and using the money to inflate his salary.
—Ben Paviour, Sacbee.com, 15 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for diverting
Adjective
-
And, as scripted by Craig Mazin (The Last of Us), their dialogue is both mildly amusing and intriguingly philosophical, if at times misguided.—
Frank Scheck,
HollywoodReporter,
27 Apr. 2026
-
And while the performances and the writing are still spackled with amusing barbs and observations about some of the grossest people in American life, The Audacity is missing a crucial forward momentum.—
Scott Tobias,
Vulture,
26 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
For entertaining larger groups, pick up this six-person set that comes with a sofa, loveseat, and club chair, all complete with comfy cushions.—
Shea Simmons,
Southern Living,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Additionally, some lawmakers are entertaining ridiculous tax incentives for companies.—
DP Opinion,
Denver Post,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Wednesday’s game, in particular, ended in extremely bizarre fashion with Xavier Edwards turning an unusual unassisted double play with the bases loaded and Freddie Freeman at the plate.—
Ian Miller OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Gravity-defying hairstyles The eye-catching work of Elisabeth Anayes Niouky is turning heads and inspiring African women to embrace their natural hair.—
Alexandra Banner,
CNN Money,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The curators supply a historical backdrop, therefore, but discreetly, and without distracting us from Wright’s poetic originality.—
Julian Bell,
The New York Review of Books,
25 Apr. 2026
-
The Living Room also extends outdoors to the rooftop Terrazzo Bar with views that are almost too distracting.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
24 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The curious Moon squares expansive Jupiter, pulling you between what feels fun and what makes sense financially.—
Tarot.com,
The Orlando Sentinel,
29 Apr. 2026
-
And the Lions should be fun to watch and competitive as long as Dan Campbell is still their head coach.—
Austin Perry OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Tony drove us around one afternoon, regaling us with stories about Fogo’s history.—
Akash Kapur,
Travel + Leisure,
7 Apr. 2026
-
Robbie is at her finest when regaling Charli XCX or Jessie Ware and her mom about her clubbing days.—
Fran Hoepfner,
Vulture,
12 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
The first two days of the game were really enjoyable, Williams said.—
Rebecca Johnson,
Chicago Tribune,
2 May 2026
-
In a statement provided to The Star, a representative for the Country Club Plaza said the organization was focused on providing a safe and enjoyable experience in the area, particularly for the World Cup festivities this summer.—
Dylan Lysen
May 1,
Kansas City Star,
1 May 2026
Verb
-
In basketball lore, one story credits University of Louisville players Wiley Brown and Derek Smith with making exactly that shift — redirecting a request for a low five upward into what became the high five.—
Hanna Wickes,
Miami Herald,
27 Apr. 2026
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To sharpen this focus, the agency is pausing the orbital Gateway Program, redirecting all resources toward establishing a permanent surface base at the lunar south pole.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
23 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Diverting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/diverting. Accessed 3 May. 2026.
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