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
Jason Ma, Fortune, 9 May 2026
The expansion of vouchers is diverting resources away from neighborhood schools.
—Clinton McCracken, The Orlando Sentinel, 9 May 2026
According to court records reviewed by USA TODAY, Thorsen was accused of diverting a portion of $11 million in research funds paid to Danish government agencies.
—Trevor Hughes, USA Today, 9 May 2026
The plane ended up diverting south towards the country's largest city, Almaty.
—Colson Thayer, PEOPLE, 8 May 2026
But the shortages of Patriot defense systems remain a concern amid reports that the Pentagon is considering diverting advanced defensive weapons earmarked for Ukraine to the Middle East.
—Sudarsan Raghavan, New Yorker, 28 Apr. 2026
The education budget nonetheless continues to go up, hurting taxpayers and diverting funds from other important services.
—Marc Novicoff, The Atlantic, 28 Apr. 2026
Armed groups in South Sudan, including the military, have a long history of diverting humanitarian supplies for military purposes.
—ABC News, 28 Apr. 2026
Known for their pest-repellent properties, marigolds also act as trap crops, diverting pests from valuable vegetables.
—Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 Apr. 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
Social Security benefits are funded by workers currently paying payroll taxes, meaning diverting today’s tax payments would affect today’s retirees.
—Jason Ma, Fortune, 9 May 2026
The expansion of vouchers is diverting resources away from neighborhood schools.
—Clinton McCracken, The Orlando Sentinel, 9 May 2026
According to court records reviewed by USA TODAY, Thorsen was accused of diverting a portion of $11 million in research funds paid to Danish government agencies.
—Trevor Hughes, USA Today, 9 May 2026
The plane ended up diverting south towards the country's largest city, Almaty.
—Colson Thayer, PEOPLE, 8 May 2026
But the shortages of Patriot defense systems remain a concern amid reports that the Pentagon is considering diverting advanced defensive weapons earmarked for Ukraine to the Middle East.
—Sudarsan Raghavan, New Yorker, 28 Apr. 2026
The education budget nonetheless continues to go up, hurting taxpayers and diverting funds from other important services.
—Marc Novicoff, The Atlantic, 28 Apr. 2026
Armed groups in South Sudan, including the military, have a long history of diverting humanitarian supplies for military purposes.
—ABC News, 28 Apr. 2026
Known for their pest-repellent properties, marigolds also act as trap crops, diverting pests from valuable vegetables.
—Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for diverting
Adjective
-
Heck, even co-creator Ed Boon pops up for a reasonably amusing cameo as a bartender.—
Alison Foreman,
IndieWire,
6 May 2026
-
Smith’s involvement, though, is a bit more amusing.—
Devon Ivie,
Vulture,
6 May 2026
Verb
-
For entertaining larger groups, pick up this six-person set that comes with a sofa, loveseat, and club chair, all complete with comfy cushions.—
Shea Simmons,
Southern Living,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Additionally, some lawmakers are entertaining ridiculous tax incentives for companies.—
DP Opinion,
Denver Post,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Yet everything Counsell and the Cubs are doing lately is turning into gold.—
Andy Martinez,
Chicago Tribune,
7 May 2026
-
With Pluto turning retrograde in your 9th House of Perspective, beliefs, plans, or long-term ideas start to evolve.—
Tarot.com,
The Orlando Sentinel,
6 May 2026
Verb
-
The curators supply a historical backdrop, therefore, but discreetly, and without distracting us from Wright’s poetic originality.—
Julian Bell,
The New York Review of Books,
25 Apr. 2026
-
The Living Room also extends outdoors to the rooftop Terrazzo Bar with views that are almost too distracting.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
24 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The curious Moon squares expansive Jupiter, pulling you between what feels fun and what makes sense financially.—
Tarot.com,
The Orlando Sentinel,
29 Apr. 2026
-
And the Lions should be fun to watch and competitive as long as Dan Campbell is still their head coach.—
Austin Perry OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
28 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
-
Stay flexible, adjust lightly, and let what feels enjoyable lead.—
Tarot.com,
Hartford Courant,
9 May 2026
-
In those cases, purchasing certain flowers from seedlings or tubers might be more practical and enjoyable.—
SJ McShane,
Martha Stewart,
9 May 2026
Verb
-
My first year will focus on building modern systems, replacing outdated ones and redirecting resources to programs that actually work.—
Teresa Liu,
Daily News,
4 May 2026
-
Unwitting drivers will pick up the freight loads before redirecting them to complicit drivers, who illegally resell them.—
Will McCurdy,
PC Magazine,
2 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Diverting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/diverting. Accessed 13 May. 2026.
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