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
Chelsea Hylton, CBS News, 11 Jan. 2026
What keeps things diverting, and sometimes even interesting, is the genuine but necessarily tentative chemistry between its stars, one staging an all-out charm offensive and the other projecting a flintier allure.
—Guy Lodge, Variety, 8 Jan. 2026
In an opinion piece published by Seattle Red, conservative radio host and Seattle commentator Jason Rantz argued that diverting most drug use and possession cases away from prosecution undermines accountability, regardless of how city officials describe the policy.
—Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 6 Jan. 2026
While the Kansas City Chiefs are crossing over to Kansas with the help of a massive incentive district that includes a large swath of Johnson County, most cities in the county won’t be diverting their local sales taxes to the team’s project, according to local and state officials.
—Taylor O'Connor, Kansas City Star, 5 Jan. 2026
The wit is warm; the wisdom, diverting.
—Air Mail, 3 Jan. 2026
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
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
The California Highway Patrol issued a Sig Alert and was diverting traffic off on Roxford Street.
—Chelsea Hylton, CBS News, 11 Jan. 2026
What keeps things diverting, and sometimes even interesting, is the genuine but necessarily tentative chemistry between its stars, one staging an all-out charm offensive and the other projecting a flintier allure.
—Guy Lodge, Variety, 8 Jan. 2026
In an opinion piece published by Seattle Red, conservative radio host and Seattle commentator Jason Rantz argued that diverting most drug use and possession cases away from prosecution undermines accountability, regardless of how city officials describe the policy.
—Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 6 Jan. 2026
While the Kansas City Chiefs are crossing over to Kansas with the help of a massive incentive district that includes a large swath of Johnson County, most cities in the county won’t be diverting their local sales taxes to the team’s project, according to local and state officials.
—Taylor O'Connor, Kansas City Star, 5 Jan. 2026
The wit is warm; the wisdom, diverting.
—Air Mail, 3 Jan. 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for diverting
Adjective
-
His performance as president has been altogether different, and far less amusing.—
Mark Z. Barabak,
Mercury News,
7 Jan. 2026
-
His performance as president has been altogether different, and far less amusing.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
4 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Excess Throw Blankets Winter entertaining often includes bringing out additional throw blankets for guests and family to create a welcoming and cozy feel.—
Kristin Hohenadel,
The Spruce,
8 Jan. 2026
-
The estate’s 16,500-square-foot mansion was built in 2012 with a laundry list of amenities for entertaining large groups.—
Demetrius Simms,
Robb Report,
4 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Weekly mopping might help to prevent food, dirt, and debris from turning into mold, which could damage your grout.—
Daley Quinn,
Southern Living,
11 Jan. 2026
-
But the momentum in the NFL’s longest-running rivalry seems to be turning, with the Bears beating the Packers for the third time in the past five games.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Writing essays, in the same way, lubricates my writing of fiction and vice versa—by distracting me and taking my thoughts elsewhere.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
6 Jan. 2026
-
The glare from the sun had been reflecting in the lenses and distracting Smith.—
Tim Spiers,
New York Times,
6 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
To tie it all together, throw in a fun statement bag to add a pop of color to an otherwise neutral outfit.—
Julia Morlino,
Travel + Leisure,
9 Jan. 2026
-
North Texas is both everything that makes college football so irresistibly fun and appealing, while also serving as the worst example of the current model.—
Mac Engel
January 9,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
9 Jan. 2026
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
-
To make these journeys manageable and enjoyable, visitors must rely on local travel platforms which understand (and solve) the logistical challenges.—
Maria Williams,
USA Today,
11 Jan. 2026
-
Season 2 is not without enjoyable intrigue, yet never proves worth the risk of opening a closed (literal) book.—
Alison Herman,
Variety,
11 Jan. 2026
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 12 Jan. 2026.
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