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
Matthew Carey, Deadline, 14 Feb. 2026
After diverting to Brussels, authorities removed the two passengers from the aircraft.
—Sophia Compton, FOXNews.com, 14 Feb. 2026
Law enforcement officers had removed the mouth of the irrigation tube diverting water from a nearby creek, but all the piping remained.
—Rachel Becker, Los Angeles Times, 12 Feb. 2026
Burley said diverting those materials matters because landfill space is limited, and taxpayers ultimately carry the cost once a landfill closes, so to divert things people can reuse is to save space and help the landfill stay maintained long term.
—Spencer Wilson, CBS News, 11 Feb. 2026
And, keeping the STAR bond district out in west KCK, around where the stadium will be built, would prevent local sales taxes generated on the county’s east side, for example, from diverting toward the project.
—Sofi Zeman, Kansas City Star, 10 Feb. 2026
For example, according to the report diverting 10 percent of textiles to reuse could support about 1,000 green jobs, while 24 percent could create 2,500.
—Alexandra Harrell, Sourcing Journal, 9 Feb. 2026
Do was sentenced in June 2025 to 60 months in prison after pleading guilty to federal charges of accepting more than $800,000 in bribes in exchange for diverting $10 million in pandemic relief money, mostly to a nonprofit that employed his daughter.
—Tony Saavedra, Oc Register, 7 Feb. 2026
The union has accused the district of diverting more than $115 million from classrooms, failing to meet the state’s requirement that 55% of spending go to classroom instruction.
—Jennah Pendleton, Sacbee.com, 3 Feb. 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
Crocodile documents growing pains within the collective, particularly as Godwin becomes interested in pursuing a music career, diverting his attention from filmmaking (he has been signed to Sony Music).
—Matthew Carey, Deadline, 14 Feb. 2026
After diverting to Brussels, authorities removed the two passengers from the aircraft.
—Sophia Compton, FOXNews.com, 14 Feb. 2026
Law enforcement officers had removed the mouth of the irrigation tube diverting water from a nearby creek, but all the piping remained.
—Rachel Becker, Los Angeles Times, 12 Feb. 2026
Burley said diverting those materials matters because landfill space is limited, and taxpayers ultimately carry the cost once a landfill closes, so to divert things people can reuse is to save space and help the landfill stay maintained long term.
—Spencer Wilson, CBS News, 11 Feb. 2026
And, keeping the STAR bond district out in west KCK, around where the stadium will be built, would prevent local sales taxes generated on the county’s east side, for example, from diverting toward the project.
—Sofi Zeman, Kansas City Star, 10 Feb. 2026
For example, according to the report diverting 10 percent of textiles to reuse could support about 1,000 green jobs, while 24 percent could create 2,500.
—Alexandra Harrell, Sourcing Journal, 9 Feb. 2026
Do was sentenced in June 2025 to 60 months in prison after pleading guilty to federal charges of accepting more than $800,000 in bribes in exchange for diverting $10 million in pandemic relief money, mostly to a nonprofit that employed his daughter.
—Tony Saavedra, Oc Register, 7 Feb. 2026
The union has accused the district of diverting more than $115 million from classrooms, failing to meet the state’s requirement that 55% of spending go to classroom instruction.
—Jennah Pendleton, Sacbee.com, 3 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for diverting
Adjective
-
Weekly, Weber and Finger have kept reliable and amusing tabs on the ever-expanding universe of Whos and dissected the increasingly jumbled celebrity hierarchy.—
Nicholas Quah,
Vulture,
13 Feb. 2026
-
In his gobsmacking third appearance in the franchise, Tommy continues to be the victim of, well, not just Jason Voorhees, but somewhat amusing coincidence as well.—
Alison Foreman,
IndieWire,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
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From household chores and entertaining to garden care and camping, your trusty roll of aluminum foil is here to make life easier.—
Darcy Lenz,
Southern Living,
17 Feb. 2026
-
But there are still plenty of comprehensive, well-rounded, educational and entertaining history exhibits — like this one — to visit.—
Ray Mark Rinaldi,
Denver Post,
16 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Illinois bolted an early 15-3 lead as USC stumbled out of the gate, turning the ball over four times in the first six minutes and missing seven of its first eight shots.—
Ryan Kartje,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Feb. 2026
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Consider pausing a debate, rescheduling an extra meeting, or turning a workout into a quiet walk, because solitude restores your energy and lets new ideas surface.—
Tarot.com,
Baltimore Sun,
18 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Still, critics say the controversy risks distracting from preparations for the Games and eroding public confidence in the organizing committee.—
Teresa Liu,
Daily News,
18 Feb. 2026
-
Picture frame backsplashes are outdated and visually distracting, tied to early 2000s.—
Sarah Lyon,
The Spruce,
17 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Dance teacher John Downing will teach Line Dance basics at this fun event.—
Ut Community Press,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
18 Feb. 2026
-
This quiz invites you to explore that legacy in a way that's both fun and surprisingly revealing.—
Kenna Hughes-Castleberry,
Space.com,
17 Feb. 2026
Verb
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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
-
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
Adjective
-
Belfast is an enjoyable enough place to visit, but Derry still feels like home.—
Judy Berman,
Time,
13 Feb. 2026
-
The final verdict Across the solar system, there are plenty of worlds that have ice, snow and even impressive slopes, but only one has the three working together that allows for enjoyable skiing.—
Daisy Dobrijevic,
Space.com,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Users have been using virtual private networks, mirror links, and redirecting URLs to get around restrictions.—
Victor Tangermann,
Futurism,
19 Feb. 2026
-
When reimbursement is out of sync with real-world acquisition costs, pharmacies are put in the difficult position of limiting inventory or redirecting patients elsewhere.—
Eric J. Larson,
The Orlando Sentinel,
19 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Diverting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/diverting. Accessed 22 Feb. 2026.
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