1
as in amuses
to cause (someone) to pass the time agreeably occupied
a light comedy to divert the tired business executive
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in turns
to change the course or direction of (something)
the bike race was diverted around the construction zone
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in distracts
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of diverts
And focusing on Marilyn and a bathing suit, and calling that exploitation sort of diverts the conversation away from where she actually was exploited.
—
Julian Sancton, HollywoodReporter, 1 June 2026
This creates a dangerous situation and diverts emergency 9-1-1 and police resources, since officers take every report of gun violence and suspicious firearm use seriously.
—Peter D'abrosca, FOXNews.com, 22 May 2026
Using proprietary technology, such as its allocation engine, Debrand facilitates the management of unsellable inventory and returns—something the Canadian hub said diverts textile waste from landfills and promotes circularity in the fashion industry, as evidenced by the brand case studies.
—Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 28 Apr. 2026
Both charming decoration and functional solution, the rain chain diverts rainwater from the roof and gutters, transforming it into a beautiful water feature.
—Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 Apr. 2026
Critics say the program diverts funds from public schools.
—Tribune News Service, Baltimore Sun, 9 Apr. 2026
The system diverts stormwater into a giant tank and then, at Fourteenth Street, pumps it out at up to three hundred and fifty million gallons a day, sending it on to the Newtown Creek wastewater facility.
—Eric Klinenberg, New Yorker, 6 Apr. 2026
This diverts from the usual legislative process of amendments, markups and the like, which Huizenga told Newsweek was problematic for debt proposals in the past.
—Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Apr. 2026
Streaming fraud diverts funds from musicians and songwriters whose songs were legitimately streamed by real listeners to those who use automation to falsely create the appearance of legitimate streaming.
—Charlotte Observer, 20 Mar. 2026
Julian Sancton, HollywoodReporter, 1 June 2026
This creates a dangerous situation and diverts emergency 9-1-1 and police resources, since officers take every report of gun violence and suspicious firearm use seriously.
—Peter D'abrosca, FOXNews.com, 22 May 2026
Using proprietary technology, such as its allocation engine, Debrand facilitates the management of unsellable inventory and returns—something the Canadian hub said diverts textile waste from landfills and promotes circularity in the fashion industry, as evidenced by the brand case studies.
—Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 28 Apr. 2026
Both charming decoration and functional solution, the rain chain diverts rainwater from the roof and gutters, transforming it into a beautiful water feature.
—Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 Apr. 2026
Critics say the program diverts funds from public schools.
—Tribune News Service, Baltimore Sun, 9 Apr. 2026
The system diverts stormwater into a giant tank and then, at Fourteenth Street, pumps it out at up to three hundred and fifty million gallons a day, sending it on to the Newtown Creek wastewater facility.
—Eric Klinenberg, New Yorker, 6 Apr. 2026
This diverts from the usual legislative process of amendments, markups and the like, which Huizenga told Newsweek was problematic for debt proposals in the past.
—Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Apr. 2026
Streaming fraud diverts funds from musicians and songwriters whose songs were legitimately streamed by real listeners to those who use automation to falsely create the appearance of legitimate streaming.
—Charlotte Observer, 20 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for diverts
Verb
-
And Griffin Hanson amuses in several small roles.—
Pam Kragen,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
13 Apr. 2026
-
The thing that amuses me the most?—
Baz Bamigboye,
Deadline,
22 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Skau warned that as attention turns towards ameliorating the security crisis, resources should not be taken away from addressing the surging humanitarian needs, which include more than 5 million people who do not have enough to eat.—
Jacqueline Charles,
Miami Herald,
4 June 2026
-
Your optimism helps others stay open, while your curiosity quickly finds the tweak that turns tension into teamwork.—
PubSubHub User,
Baltimore Sun,
4 June 2026
Verb
-
Mother’s explosion distracts Blaine and frees Sam.—
Dessi Gomez,
Deadline,
22 May 2026
-
In my view, platforming these young men and sensationalizing their behaviors, rather than recognizing those behaviors as signs of psychological distress, distracts from the urgent need to address these serious mental health concerns.—
Jordyn Tovey,
The Conversation,
22 May 2026
Verb
-
The Green Griller likely has an herb garden blooming in his yard and entertains in a rugged yet stylish manner with a variety of equipment that imparts a clean, outdoorsy flavor without leaving behind ash.—
Catharine Kaufman,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
29 May 2026
-
But, of course, nobody entertains for a moment the thought that the fund could conceivably reward an actual victim of weaponization.—
Jonathan Chait,
The Atlantic,
19 May 2026
Verb
-
The thought swings through her, like a burning stick through night air.—
Maggie O’Farrell,
Literary Hub,
2 June 2026
-
In one sequence, Atlas shifts its weight and swings its leg forward to guide a ball smoothly across the floor.—
Jijo Malayil,
Interesting Engineering,
27 May 2026
Verb
-
Aboard the boat, Terry regales his passengers with tales of the river, from namesake Twain to tragic Lovers' Leap just downstream of Hannibal.—
Trevor Hughes,
USA Today,
31 May 2026
-
Around the old-growth-fir dining table, Nansen regales us with tales of the rebuild.—
Jen Murphy,
Robb Report,
8 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Maxey tries to create an advantage but cannot, and Bridges, with those never-ending arms, deflects the bounce and gets the steal.—
Fred Katz,
New York Times,
15 May 2026
-
Rue questions the nature of Jules’s relationship, but Jules deflects.—
Rafaela Bassili,
Vulture,
20 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Check out this 1997 live TV version of Paranoid Android, which veers from lullaby to apocalypse within the space of a few minutes.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
30 May 2026
-
But Maximum Pleasure Guaranteed almost immediately veers off into wild subplots about murder, corruption, and corporate malfeasance, as if to emphasize that low-level romance scams are just the tip of the internet’s fetid iceberg.—
Sophie Gilbert,
The Atlantic,
20 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Diverts.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/diverts. Accessed 5 Jun. 2026.
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