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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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
Arsalan Shahla, Fortune, 7 Mar. 2026
This marks the first example of a ship diverting from Europe to Asia during the current price spike, the firm said.
—Lee Ying Shan,anniek Bao,victor Loh, CNBC, 4 Mar. 2026
Meanwhile, flight tracking data from Flightradar24 shows aircraft diverting to avoid airspace around Iran as tensions continue.
—Chelsea Jones, CBS News, 4 Mar. 2026
According to a client advisory from Seko Logistics, remaining flights are diverting via Turkey or over the Arabian Sea, adding two-to-five hours per leg.
—Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 3 Mar. 2026
Nothing would give Xi more satisfaction than watching the US bog itself down in another Middle East quagmire, diverting Washington’s attention and resources from China’s own backyard.
—Andy Browne, semafor.com, 2 Mar. 2026
But now, with the bloodless spectacle of a button being pushed to prompt a computer to decide the league-phase fixtures, then variables for the knockouts limited to deciding which of two pre-determined teams the winners of the play-offs would face, the old way actually seems quite diverting.
—Nick Miller, New York Times, 28 Feb. 2026
Rajner has prodded lawmakers to act while also accusing DOH of illegally diverting money from ADAP without adequately notifying the public of the implications of the severe cutbacks.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 28 Feb. 2026
Justice Department prosecutors also accused him of diverting money from his law firm to pay gambling debts and falsely deducting gambling debts as business expenses.
—ABC News, 25 Feb. 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
Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia is diverting millions of barrels of crude to a port on its Red Sea coast, helping the world’s top exporter maintain some supplies.
—Arsalan Shahla, Fortune, 7 Mar. 2026
This marks the first example of a ship diverting from Europe to Asia during the current price spike, the firm said.
—Lee Ying Shan,anniek Bao,victor Loh, CNBC, 4 Mar. 2026
Meanwhile, flight tracking data from Flightradar24 shows aircraft diverting to avoid airspace around Iran as tensions continue.
—Chelsea Jones, CBS News, 4 Mar. 2026
According to a client advisory from Seko Logistics, remaining flights are diverting via Turkey or over the Arabian Sea, adding two-to-five hours per leg.
—Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 3 Mar. 2026
Nothing would give Xi more satisfaction than watching the US bog itself down in another Middle East quagmire, diverting Washington’s attention and resources from China’s own backyard.
—Andy Browne, semafor.com, 2 Mar. 2026
But now, with the bloodless spectacle of a button being pushed to prompt a computer to decide the league-phase fixtures, then variables for the knockouts limited to deciding which of two pre-determined teams the winners of the play-offs would face, the old way actually seems quite diverting.
—Nick Miller, New York Times, 28 Feb. 2026
Rajner has prodded lawmakers to act while also accusing DOH of illegally diverting money from ADAP without adequately notifying the public of the implications of the severe cutbacks.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 28 Feb. 2026
Justice Department prosecutors also accused him of diverting money from his law firm to pay gambling debts and falsely deducting gambling debts as business expenses.
—ABC News, 25 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for diverting
Adjective
-
The singer co-directed the amusing and saucy video with Hannah Lux Davis; watch it below.—
Chris Willman,
Variety,
11 Mar. 2026
-
But the snakes also cause amusing distractions, as when python Fizzy periscopes up to get a better view of the class, and the class stops to observe him.—
Deena Prichep,
NPR,
11 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
At this point, his mother isn’t entertaining any other outcome.—
Lia Assimakopoulos,
Dallas Morning News,
9 Mar. 2026
-
Barker explains that this could be because people are returning to entertaining at home and building comfortable, welcoming spaces.—
Heather Bien,
Southern Living,
9 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
There’s water everywhere, approach angles that punish the wrong side of the fairway, and a closing stretch with a long history of turning good rounds into cautionary tales.—
Jenny Catlin,
New York Times,
12 Mar. 2026
-
Video later showed Good turning her wheel away from the agent who shot her.—
Ruby Cramer,
New Yorker,
12 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Also, higher oil prices mean more income for Russia, and the war in Iran is distracting the world from Putin’s war in Ukraine.—
Tom Zirpoli,
Baltimore Sun,
10 Mar. 2026
-
Additional creature comforts also can be nice but distracting.—
Metro Creative Services,
Boston Herald,
9 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Same fun format kids already love, just built on sourdough instead of white sandwich bread and served with a dip that adds protein rather than extra sugar.—
Allison Palmer,
Sacbee.com,
10 Mar. 2026
-
That look from Skenes, who won the National League Cy Young Award last season, is what led to the creation of some fun memes.—
Pete Grathoff,
Kansas City Star,
10 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
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
-
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
-
Stadium seating is perfectly enjoyable, but Sunday brunch is the place to be, with everyone who’s anyone enjoying a gourmet buffet and an up-close view of the match.—
Skye Sherman,
Southern Living,
7 Mar. 2026
-
As your host, Lizzie Burder makes for very enjoyable company, deftly mixing child-like enthusiasm with just enough frantic dread to convince you that this whole operation could turn dangerous at any moment.—
Rob Hubbard,
Twin Cities,
7 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
An early morning crash shut down the main lanes, forcing traffic off the highway at Exit 227 (Slaughter Lane) and redirecting it onto the northbound frontage road.—
Marley Malenfant,
Austin American Statesman,
6 Mar. 2026
-
Gakpo’s outstretched boot had connected with Ekitike’s header first, redirecting it onto Jones’ head, sending the ball upwards.—
Andy Jones,
New York Times,
3 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Diverting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/diverting. Accessed 13 Mar. 2026.
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