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
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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
Anthony Robledo, USA Today, 4 Oct. 2025
The disruption came just a day after flights were halted Thursday night following earlier drone reports, stranding thousands of passengers and diverting flights across the region.
—Gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Oct. 2025
At the same time, the broadcast nets have become more aggressive in pushing viewers to their streaming platforms and away from their linear destinations, diverting eyeballs away from local TV.
—Michael Schneider, Variety, 2 Oct. 2025
If all of this has made for a diverting pre-Bethpage sizzle reel, the real fight come Sunday afternoon will be for viewers.
—Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 25 Sep. 2025
The ruffle down the leg slit creates a pretty waterfall effect that stands out without diverting the attention from the woman of the hour.
—Bianca Kratky, Glamour, 25 Sep. 2025
Shippers may consider diverting cargo to alternative airports such as Xiamen or Ezhou, Seko says.
—Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 24 Sep. 2025
Advertisement The recent announcement only compounds the harm, confusing parents and diverting attention and resources from questions that could actually bring answers.
—Dr. Craig Spencer, Time, 23 Sep. 2025
Bonds backed by future cap-and-invest revenues face the risks of future pollution license auctions failing to generate sufficient revenues and of a future state legislature diverting revenue to other priorities.
—Marc Joffe, Oc Register, 22 Sep. 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
Global organization Human Rights Watch accused the festival of diverting attention away from allegations of the government’s severe repression of free speech and criticized comedians for performing on the behest of an oppressive regime.
—Anthony Robledo, USA Today, 4 Oct. 2025
The disruption came just a day after flights were halted Thursday night following earlier drone reports, stranding thousands of passengers and diverting flights across the region.
—Gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Oct. 2025
At the same time, the broadcast nets have become more aggressive in pushing viewers to their streaming platforms and away from their linear destinations, diverting eyeballs away from local TV.
—Michael Schneider, Variety, 2 Oct. 2025
If all of this has made for a diverting pre-Bethpage sizzle reel, the real fight come Sunday afternoon will be for viewers.
—Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 25 Sep. 2025
The ruffle down the leg slit creates a pretty waterfall effect that stands out without diverting the attention from the woman of the hour.
—Bianca Kratky, Glamour, 25 Sep. 2025
Shippers may consider diverting cargo to alternative airports such as Xiamen or Ezhou, Seko says.
—Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 24 Sep. 2025
Advertisement The recent announcement only compounds the harm, confusing parents and diverting attention and resources from questions that could actually bring answers.
—Dr. Craig Spencer, Time, 23 Sep. 2025
Bonds backed by future cap-and-invest revenues face the risks of future pollution license auctions failing to generate sufficient revenues and of a future state legislature diverting revenue to other priorities.
—Marc Joffe, Oc Register, 22 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for diverting
Adjective
-
The latter character ushers in a stiff but amusing Mark Cuban cameo.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
30 Sep. 2025
-
Fleury gave a typically amusing answer when asked about the chants of one more year.—
Josh Yohe,
New York Times,
28 Sep. 2025
Verb
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In a conversation with Entertainment Weekly about reuniting with Home Improvement costar Tim Allen, 72, on Shifting Gears, Dunning recalled overhearing Allen entertaining the idea of bringing Pamela Anderson back to the series in some capacity.—
Angela Andaloro,
PEOPLE,
29 Sep. 2025
-
Senate Democrats have discussed offering shorter-term funding proposals in the event of a government shutdown, but Republicans aren’t entertaining anything beyond their initial plan right now.—
Burgess Everett,
semafor.com,
29 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Kempes scored his second on the stroke of half-time in extra time, bundling his way past two Dutch defenders and goalkeeper Jongbloed before scrappily turning home a shot that deflected in off Wim Suurbier.—
Michael Cox,
New York Times,
5 Oct. 2025
-
Knudsen, chief scientific adviser in research and early development at Novo Nordisk, played a pivotal role in turning it into an effective drug promoting weight loss that millions of people take today.—
Katie Hunt,
CNN Money,
4 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Rather than distracting from the acting, the animation also only enhances the heightened emotions of adolescence.—
James Factora,
Them.,
26 Sep. 2025
-
The subtle side snap buttons leading down to the slit provide detail without being distracting, and the pointelle knit offers enough stretch and texture to hug your curves in all the right places.—
Lane Nieset,
Travel + Leisure,
20 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Starting rents are $1,300–$1,900 and include extras like furniture, babysitting, dog walking, and fun amenities—far below typical Miami prices.—
Miami Herald Archives,
Miami Herald,
30 Sep. 2025
-
Ludilo 100-Piece Bat Wall Decal Stickers From walls to windows, doors, tables, mirrors, and more, these best-selling bat stickers help transform every inch of your space into frightfully fun Halloween decor.—
Mia Huelsbeck,
PEOPLE,
30 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Her mother, an enslaved woman whose name is lost to history, had been a storyteller, too, regaling the girl with folktales on the Maryland plantation where she was born in the mid-nineteenth century.—
April White,
JSTOR Daily,
15 Sep. 2025
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The 21-time PGA Tour winner engaged a small group on a practice green, going over technique, drills and flatstick psychology while also regaling them with stories about golf greats—like how keeping an eye on the hole helped Beth Daniel transform her putting game.—
Mike Dojc,
Forbes.com,
22 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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The day after his victory, Gurgel’s wife called Kerr and invited him over for lunch, and although Kerr worried he might get jumped, instead the two fighters had an enjoyable meal and chat.—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
3 Oct. 2025
-
Upgrading to a fresh board, especially wood, makes prep safer and much more enjoyable.—
Ashlyn Needham,
Southern Living,
3 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The wind was whipping this past week at McGrath Stadium, mist in the air.—
Brendan Connelly,
Boston Herald,
29 Sep. 2025
-
Video from Camiguin Island, posted by the Philippines Department of the Interior and Local Government, showed fierce winds and ocean water whipping past houses onto a residential street.—
Helen Regan,
CNN Money,
23 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Diverting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/diverting. Accessed 7 Oct. 2025.
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