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
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
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
Colin Pascal, Baltimore Sun, 23 Mar. 2025
Instead of diverting limited local resources to do the job of federal immigration officials or funding immigrant detention, this bill empowers communities to keep the resources where they are needed most.
—Carlos Guillermo Smith and Dotie Joseph, Orlando Sentinel, 23 Mar. 2025
That’s a crucial step in diverting waste away from landfills.
—Melanie Stetson Freeman, The Christian Science Monitor, 23 Mar. 2025
The new measure would increase the threshold for wage-theft claims that the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment could enforce across all industries, diverting cases away from more expensive lawsuits.
—The Denver Post, 22 Mar. 2025
Courts would be flooded with petitions for sentence reductions, diverting attention from other pressing legal matters.
—Kurt W. Wolfgang, Baltimore Sun, 22 Mar. 2025
In 1959, Prince Edward County, Virginia, closed its public schools for five years, diverting tax monies to build a K-12 private academy for 1,400 white students and allotting their families tuition grants.
—Essence, 22 Mar. 2025
The legal costs associated with compliance have become a significant line item in operating budgets, diverting precious resources away from the core mission of providing quality affordable housing.
—Miranda Darden-Willems, Baltimore Sun, 20 Mar. 2025
Community leaders considered diverting some of that traffic with the objective of introducing visitors not just to the land, but to its original people.
—Elaine Glusac, Travel + Leisure, 18 Mar. 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
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
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
Verb
The Blueprint has so far been funded by taking money from existing revenue and by diverting money from the state’s rainy day fund, leaving us with less money to meet other obligations.
—Colin Pascal, Baltimore Sun, 23 Mar. 2025
Instead of diverting limited local resources to do the job of federal immigration officials or funding immigrant detention, this bill empowers communities to keep the resources where they are needed most.
—Carlos Guillermo Smith and Dotie Joseph, Orlando Sentinel, 23 Mar. 2025
That’s a crucial step in diverting waste away from landfills.
—Melanie Stetson Freeman, The Christian Science Monitor, 23 Mar. 2025
The new measure would increase the threshold for wage-theft claims that the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment could enforce across all industries, diverting cases away from more expensive lawsuits.
—The Denver Post, 22 Mar. 2025
Courts would be flooded with petitions for sentence reductions, diverting attention from other pressing legal matters.
—Kurt W. Wolfgang, Baltimore Sun, 22 Mar. 2025
In 1959, Prince Edward County, Virginia, closed its public schools for five years, diverting tax monies to build a K-12 private academy for 1,400 white students and allotting their families tuition grants.
—Essence, 22 Mar. 2025
The legal costs associated with compliance have become a significant line item in operating budgets, diverting precious resources away from the core mission of providing quality affordable housing.
—Miranda Darden-Willems, Baltimore Sun, 20 Mar. 2025
Community leaders considered diverting some of that traffic with the objective of introducing visitors not just to the land, but to its original people.
—Elaine Glusac, Travel + Leisure, 18 Mar. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for diverting
Adjective
-
For two-thirds of the day, as the peloton rolled through Brittany, the majority of soundbites ranged from frivolous to downright amusing.—
Jacob Whitehead,
New York Times,
12 July 2025
-
The scene was more amusing than threatening — onlookers whipped out cell phone cameras to document the sight of horses traversing the grounds.—
Jim Newton,
Mercury News,
12 July 2025
Verb
-
The house had multiple assets, including a grand entrance, original details, a welcoming front porch and a two-story carriage house that offered additional space for entertaining.—
Lana Bortolot,
New York Times,
10 Apr. 2025
-
Again, sight lines within the home are extended, making this the area perfect for entertaining groups of all sizes, including large parties.—
James Alexander,
Hartford Courant,
30 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Occupying and distracting the mind.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
13 Apr. 2025
-
While most of the acting is wonderful (Wyle is predictably great, but so is just about all of the main cast), some patient-of-the-week players err towards distracting histrionics.—
Judy Berman,
Time,
11 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Snapping photos and posting them on social media is a fun way to share a travel adventure.—
Michael Cappetta,
Travel + Leisure,
14 July 2025
-
From fun bikinis and breezy sundresses to wide-leg pants and cute tops for up to 65 percent off, these picks from Amazon, Nordstrom Rack, Old Navy, and Abercrombie all come in at under $50.—
Jeaneen Russell,
People.com,
14 July 2025
Verb
-
Elle was also seen whipping her hands in a circle to the music during the awards ceremony.—
Stephanie Wenger,
People.com,
6 Jan. 2025
-
This instant camera captures little moments and big occasions on film, which feels a little more special than whipping out an iPhone.—
Malia Griggs,
Glamour,
2 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
For many manufacturers, this means redirecting resources to address vulnerabilities in products that have already been in use for years.—
Christian Espinosa,
Forbes,
23 Dec. 2024
-
However, some sites in other states appear to be redirecting customers to nearby locations.—
Brandi D. Addison,
Austin American-Statesman,
20 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
As of next year, the European Film Academy is shifting its gala from December to mid-January to better position the EFAs in the award season.—
Scott Roxborough,
The Hollywood Reporter,
8 Jan. 2025
-
The combination of low humidity, dry fuels, and shifting winds has heightened the potential for spot fires and rapid expansion.—
Russell Lewis,
NPR,
8 Jan. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Diverting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/diverting. Accessed 25 Jul. 2025.
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