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
Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 24 Apr. 2026
In 2021, the president’s son Teodoro was sanctioned in the United Kingdom for diverting millions of dollars, which officials claimed were used to purchase luxury mansions, private jets, and a $275,000 glove once worn by Michael Jackson.
—Nimi Princewill, CNN Money, 22 Apr. 2026
Late former President Jose Eduardo dos Santos, who led Angola for 38 years from 1979 to 2017, was accused of diverting billions of dollars of public money to his family, largely from the country’s oil revenue, as millions struggled in poverty.
—ABC News, 18 Apr. 2026
Becerra’s top aide, Sean McCluskie, plead guilty in November to diverting $225,000 from Becerra’s dormant campaign funds and using the money to inflate his salary.
—Ben Paviour, Sacbee.com, 15 Apr. 2026
The Middle East conflict has required diverting key systems from Asia.
—Editorial Board, Washington Post, 10 Apr. 2026
State officials have relied on the practice of diverting all hazmat trucks off I-70 and over 11,990-foot Loveland Pass.
—Bruce Finley, Denver Post, 9 Apr. 2026
The Iran war is currently a top priority for the United States and risks diverting resources that Kyiv needs, such as air defense systems, while providing Russia with windfall profits through high energy prices.
—Lorne Cook, Los Angeles Times, 31 Mar. 2026
Prosecutors said the scheme netted Smith more than $8 million by diverting royalty payments away from legitimate artists.
—Alice Gibbs, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 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
After seeing the image, the Daejeon city government issued an emergency text warning residents of a wolf in the area, and police even reportedly showed the photo at a press briefing while diverting resources to search the area, the BBC reported.
—Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 24 Apr. 2026
In 2021, the president’s son Teodoro was sanctioned in the United Kingdom for diverting millions of dollars, which officials claimed were used to purchase luxury mansions, private jets, and a $275,000 glove once worn by Michael Jackson.
—Nimi Princewill, CNN Money, 22 Apr. 2026
Late former President Jose Eduardo dos Santos, who led Angola for 38 years from 1979 to 2017, was accused of diverting billions of dollars of public money to his family, largely from the country’s oil revenue, as millions struggled in poverty.
—ABC News, 18 Apr. 2026
Becerra’s top aide, Sean McCluskie, plead guilty in November to diverting $225,000 from Becerra’s dormant campaign funds and using the money to inflate his salary.
—Ben Paviour, Sacbee.com, 15 Apr. 2026
The Middle East conflict has required diverting key systems from Asia.
—Editorial Board, Washington Post, 10 Apr. 2026
State officials have relied on the practice of diverting all hazmat trucks off I-70 and over 11,990-foot Loveland Pass.
—Bruce Finley, Denver Post, 9 Apr. 2026
The Iran war is currently a top priority for the United States and risks diverting resources that Kyiv needs, such as air defense systems, while providing Russia with windfall profits through high energy prices.
—Lorne Cook, Los Angeles Times, 31 Mar. 2026
Prosecutors said the scheme netted Smith more than $8 million by diverting royalty payments away from legitimate artists.
—Alice Gibbs, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for diverting
Adjective
-
Each episode features amusing sit-downs with students from Brooklyn Elementary School in Comox, British Columbia.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
21 Apr. 2026
-
Director Scott Ellis understands all this, and thus the admirably specific physical business and slurred verbosity in his gently outré revival really makes for quite the amusing diversion.—
Chris Jones,
Chicago Tribune,
20 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Still, Williams isn’t entertaining any arguments about his usage.—
Abbey Mastracco,
New York Daily News,
20 Apr. 2026
-
Or the assumption that such is friends’ motivation for entertaining.—
Judith Martin,
Sun Sentinel,
20 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
In February, O’Neil told the Financial Times that LIV was five to ten years away from turning a profit.—
Zach Helfand,
New Yorker,
23 Apr. 2026
-
In North Hollywood, a group of neighbors has banded together, turning their daily dog walking into impromptu neighborhood watches.—
Austin Turner,
CBS News,
22 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Perhaps his most notable friendship is with loyal longtime bodyguard Bill Bray (Keilyn Durrel Jones) and, to a lesser extent, his savvy manager John Branca (Miles Teller in a distracting wig).—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
21 Apr. 2026
-
Punk was taking off the tape from his hands and threw it onto the ring, distracting the referee enough to hit Reigns with a low blow.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
20 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Sprinkled along the way are fun cameos from the familiar Broadway faces Ana Gasteyer, Ann Harada, McKenzie Kurtz and Brad Oscar, all veteran musical actors whose very presence is all part of the show’s central joke.—
Chris Jones,
Chicago Tribune,
21 Apr. 2026
-
Lisa Parigi, Lionel Richie, Will Ferrell and Viveca Paulin are a fun four at LACMA's Opening Gala for The David Geffen Galleries in Los Angeles on April 16.—
Toria Sheffield,
PEOPLE,
21 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Tony drove us around one afternoon, regaling us with stories about Fogo’s history.—
Akash Kapur,
Travel + Leisure,
7 Apr. 2026
-
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
Adjective
-
Make working from home more enjoyable with a clever USB desk fan ($8) and soothing essential oil diffuser ($7).—
Mariana Best,
Better Homes & Gardens,
25 Apr. 2026
-
This premise, bolstered by excellent performances all around, could easily have sustained a totally enjoyable TV show.—
Alexandra Schwartz,
New Yorker,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
To sharpen this focus, the agency is pausing the orbital Gateway Program, redirecting all resources toward establishing a permanent surface base at the lunar south pole.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
23 Apr. 2026
-
Each child who enrolls in Success Academy will draw in state per-pupil dollars with them, redirecting funding away from the district.—
Garrett Shanley,
Miami Herald,
23 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Diverting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/diverting. Accessed 26 Apr. 2026.
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