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
Nathan Pilling, Kansas City Star, 20 June 2026
The California Highway Patrol temporarily shut down all westbound lanes of the freeway, diverting traffic onto Irwindale Avenue, before opening up one lane.
—Laurence Darmiento
follow, Los Angeles Times, 20 June 2026
The plane had taken off from Mexico's San Jose del Cabo on Tuesday evening and was bound for Austin before diverting to Laredo, according to tracking data.
—Jessica Gorman, ABC News, 17 June 2026
The Cobb County School District has filed a lawsuit to stop the Cobb County Board of Commissioners from diverting funds away from Cobb's students and teachers.
—Zachary Bynum, CBS News, 16 June 2026
Williamson admitted to diverting $225,000 from a dormant Beccera campaign account to Sean McCluskie, Becerra’s longtime chief of staff.
—Terry Collins, USA Today, 15 June 2026
This journey requires them to climb fish ladders over dams, navigate culverts diverting streams under roads, and ascend up to elevations of 7,000 feet.
—Idaho Statesman, 12 June 2026
With nearly 20% of the world’s global oil flows initially disrupted by the war, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates are diverting more volumes via pipelines.
—Jordan Blum, Fortune, 12 June 2026
In May, Hawthorne got court permission to look into its allegations that the state was improperly diverting some of its funding to Fairmount Park in downstate Collinsville.
—Robert McCoppin, Chicago Tribune, 12 June 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
In a social media post Saturday afternoon, the Kansas City Police Department wrote that bags that don’t meet the event’s clear bag policy were diverting law enforcement resources, as those bags have to be thoroughly inspected.
—Nathan Pilling, Kansas City Star, 20 June 2026
The California Highway Patrol temporarily shut down all westbound lanes of the freeway, diverting traffic onto Irwindale Avenue, before opening up one lane.
—Laurence Darmiento
follow, Los Angeles Times, 20 June 2026
The plane had taken off from Mexico's San Jose del Cabo on Tuesday evening and was bound for Austin before diverting to Laredo, according to tracking data.
—Jessica Gorman, ABC News, 17 June 2026
The Cobb County School District has filed a lawsuit to stop the Cobb County Board of Commissioners from diverting funds away from Cobb's students and teachers.
—Zachary Bynum, CBS News, 16 June 2026
Williamson admitted to diverting $225,000 from a dormant Beccera campaign account to Sean McCluskie, Becerra’s longtime chief of staff.
—Terry Collins, USA Today, 15 June 2026
This journey requires them to climb fish ladders over dams, navigate culverts diverting streams under roads, and ascend up to elevations of 7,000 feet.
—Idaho Statesman, 12 June 2026
With nearly 20% of the world’s global oil flows initially disrupted by the war, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates are diverting more volumes via pipelines.
—Jordan Blum, Fortune, 12 June 2026
In May, Hawthorne got court permission to look into its allegations that the state was improperly diverting some of its funding to Fairmount Park in downstate Collinsville.
—Robert McCoppin, Chicago Tribune, 12 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for diverting
Adjective
-
This is amusing but understandable; in an era where commodity fetishism has turned analog, low-budget cinema into something aspirational, Jenkin has made no compromises for accessibility.—
Sam Bodrojan,
IndieWire,
17 June 2026
-
Regal bontebok were replaced by stout warthogs, whose amusing visages quickly filled my camera roll.—
Lydia Price,
Travel + Leisure,
14 June 2026
Verb
-
Players trudged out of Atlanta Stadium (AKA Mercedes-Benz Stadium) with their eyes fixed on the floor, not even entertaining the thought of engaging with questions.—
Pol Ballús,
New York Times,
16 June 2026
-
The Season’s characters, entertaining in their obnoxiously wealthy and drama-prone ways but not exactly dimensional, simply aren’t built for close scrutiny.—
Angie Han,
HollywoodReporter,
16 June 2026
Verb
-
For the tournament, FIFA has introduced a three-minute hydration break in each half, effectively turning the game into four quarters.—
Tom Burrows,
New York Times,
17 June 2026
-
Witnesses saw the plane struggle to gain altitude before turning left, stalling and falling to the ground.—
Alexandra Skores,
CNN Money,
17 June 2026
Verb
-
In addition, intense, exciting soccer matches can be distracting and lead to overlooking subtle signs of dehydration.—
Lisa Fitzpatrick,
Forbes.com,
13 June 2026
-
Finally, toolbars are becoming more consistent, and the distracting icons in drop-down menus are quietly disappearing.—
Edward Mendelson,
PC Magazine,
10 June 2026
Adjective
-
Watching teams and players decide when to challenge and when not to has been fun, and keeping track of who’s good at it has been entertaining, as well.—
Jim Bowden,
New York Times,
16 June 2026
-
That was a fun one, with both teams staying aggressive throughout the match.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
16 June 2026
Verb
-
One morning earlier this week, Thomas Lupo, the president and CEO of the American Wood Column Corporation, was in his office regaling two young entrepreneurs with tales of his 110-year-old family business.—
Anne Kadet,
Curbed,
12 June 2026
-
His mind was as sharp as a tack, again regaling us with amazing hockey stories.—
Pierre LeBrun,
New York Times,
5 June 2026
Verb
-
With basic mobile coverage reaching 91% of the population, companies are redirecting their money toward advanced 5G networks and high-speed fiber lines.—
Alexander Onukwue,
semafor.com,
19 June 2026
-
The third pillar focuses on promoting financial and economic incentives such as redirecting agricultural subsidies toward regenerative practices and phasing out incentives that entrench linear production.—
Jennifer Bringle,
Footwear News,
15 June 2026
Adjective
-
That has prompted accusations by some fans that the organizer is prioritizing profits over creating an enjoyable and accessible experience for people from all over the world.—
Bloomberg,
Mercury News,
19 June 2026
-
Exercise and training is one of the most enjoyable and rewarding aspects for many around the globe.—
David Hoffman,
USA Today,
19 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Diverting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/diverting. Accessed 21 Jun. 2026.
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