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
Equal Justice Initiative, USA Today, 6 Nov. 2025
Videos taken by witnesses show cars diverting and driving away from the scene after capturing the fireball that lights up moments after the crash.
—Julia Gomez, USA TODAY, 5 Nov. 2025
Unfortunately, the physical energy my body was diverting toward healing was not impacting my mental energy.
—Lizz Schumer, PEOPLE, 4 Nov. 2025
With much of the world horrified by the USSR’s brutality, Eisenhower was furious that the British-French-Israeli offensive was both diverting international attention and handing Moscow a PR victory by enabling it to speak about Western aggression in the Middle East.
—Literary Hub, 3 Nov. 2025
Critics such as lawmaker Salman Zaker, however, accuse the government of diverting the very water meant for the lake’s revival.
—Amir Daftari, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2025
Pure Water will solve the problem at Point Loma by diverting the sewage away from the plant.
—David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Oct. 2025
The plan included launching a mobile booking station to quickly issue citations, stricter curfew and firearm enforcement, and increasing police presence by diverting patrol officers to high-traffic entertainment areas.
—Angelika Ytuarte, jsonline.com, 22 Oct. 2025
Advertisement The show has evolved from a diverting homage to ‘80s grandmasters like Steven Spielberg and Stephen King into an outright blockbuster with some of the most eye-popping action scenes on TV.
—Eliana Dockterman, Time, 20 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
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.
—Equal Justice Initiative, USA Today, 6 Nov. 2025
Videos taken by witnesses show cars diverting and driving away from the scene after capturing the fireball that lights up moments after the crash.
—Julia Gomez, USA TODAY, 5 Nov. 2025
Unfortunately, the physical energy my body was diverting toward healing was not impacting my mental energy.
—Lizz Schumer, PEOPLE, 4 Nov. 2025
With much of the world horrified by the USSR’s brutality, Eisenhower was furious that the British-French-Israeli offensive was both diverting international attention and handing Moscow a PR victory by enabling it to speak about Western aggression in the Middle East.
—Literary Hub, 3 Nov. 2025
Critics such as lawmaker Salman Zaker, however, accuse the government of diverting the very water meant for the lake’s revival.
—Amir Daftari, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2025
Pure Water will solve the problem at Point Loma by diverting the sewage away from the plant.
—David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Oct. 2025
The plan included launching a mobile booking station to quickly issue citations, stricter curfew and firearm enforcement, and increasing police presence by diverting patrol officers to high-traffic entertainment areas.
—Angelika Ytuarte, jsonline.com, 22 Oct. 2025
Advertisement The show has evolved from a diverting homage to ‘80s grandmasters like Steven Spielberg and Stephen King into an outright blockbuster with some of the most eye-popping action scenes on TV.
—Eliana Dockterman, Time, 20 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for diverting
Adjective
-
Arthur is known as Conkling’s hatchet man, a customs collector for the Port of New York who’s shown, in one amusing snippet, presiding over the beating of a noncompliant businessman.—
Scott Tobias,
Vulture,
6 Nov. 2025
-
Garner is a brilliant observer and listener — every page has a surprising, sharp or amusing thought.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Talks continue with Ellison, who is looking to buy the whole company, although WBD is also entertaining offers for parts.—
Jill Goldsmith,
Deadline,
6 Nov. 2025
-
Elsewhere, the main living area, featuring one of over four fireplaces throughout the hilltop retreat, provides the perfect setting for entertaining.—
Demetrius Simms,
Robb Report,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Season-defining results turning not on the ever-growing bona fide quality of the players and the performances but on farcical decision-making.—
Megan Feringa,
New York Times,
9 Nov. 2025
-
The guy wants to create a ballroom for his rich friends while turning a blind eye to the fact that babies are going to starve when the SNAP benefits end hours from now.—
Peter Lucas,
Boston Herald,
8 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
The Democratic crackup that’s now underway in Washington is distracting the party from a series of brutal fights just ahead that will culminate in next year’s midterms.—
Burgess Everett,
semafor.com,
10 Nov. 2025
-
Even without mixing and matching, simple gold hoops can offer a sleek and classy look that feels elevated and sophisticated enough for wearing to the office, celebrating milestones, and attending events without being distracting.—
Jessie Quinn,
StyleCaster,
10 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
But feminist art is getting fun.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
6 Nov. 2025
-
Below, click on each cover star to unveil a fun fact from their year of sexy.—
Brendan Le,
PEOPLE,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
The teaser begins by regaling the audience with all the ways the original Pump Rulers entertained us through the years.—
Jason P. Frank,
Vulture,
3 Nov. 2025
-
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
-
Peak season is over, meaning the crowds are gone, the water feels calmer, the restaurants are more enjoyable, and the sunsets last just a little bit longer.—
Gabi De la Rosa,
Southern Living,
7 Nov. 2025
-
The period detail is impressive, the storytelling is engrossing, and the overall impact is pleasantly enjoyable.—
Joe Leydon,
Variety,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
But younger shoppers are increasingly cutting back on small daily indulgences while redirecting those savings toward statement pieces.—
Eva Roytburg,
Fortune,
9 Nov. 2025
-
Sympathetic nerves are those involved in the body's flight or fight response and are responsible for – among other things – adjusting heart rate and redirecting blood flow to muscles.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
7 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Diverting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/diverting. Accessed 14 Nov. 2025.
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