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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of diverts
Energy infrastructure under attack threatens global supplies as shipping diverts from critical trade routes, potentially sparking economic shocks worldwide and reshaping energy markets.
—
Julia Frankel, Los Angeles Times, 3 Mar. 2026
Other recommendations included repealing any crime-free nuisance ordinances around housing, establishing an Office of Immigrant and Refugee Rights and creating a program that diverts young people away from the justice system.
—R. Christian Smith, Chicago Tribune, 22 Feb. 2026
Curtis wants to see a more holistic conversation on how to address delays in rural communities, rather than a proviso that diverts funding from projects long in the works.
—Sofi Zeman, Kansas City Star, 15 Feb. 2026
Spending millions on ineligible recipients only diverts resources from those most in need.
—Editorial, Boston Herald, 7 Feb. 2026
Instead, the funds are being used to produce a narrative that diverts attention from a major public health issue and discourages the press from covering it.
—Eleanor M. Perfetto, STAT, 7 Feb. 2026
Goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario goes long towards midfield, where Archie Gray diverts the ball to Rodrigo Bentancur.
—Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 14 Jan. 2026
These tissues regenerate constantly, so when protein is scarce, your body diverts amino acids away from these aesthetic functions toward more critical ones, like maintaining organ health and immunity.
—Lauryn Higgins, Time, 18 Dec. 2025
O’Neill directs the steamroller of tragedy right at the characters and then — atypically, delightfully — diverts it.
—Sara Holdren, Vulture, 14 Dec. 2025
Julia Frankel, Los Angeles Times, 3 Mar. 2026
Other recommendations included repealing any crime-free nuisance ordinances around housing, establishing an Office of Immigrant and Refugee Rights and creating a program that diverts young people away from the justice system.
—R. Christian Smith, Chicago Tribune, 22 Feb. 2026
Curtis wants to see a more holistic conversation on how to address delays in rural communities, rather than a proviso that diverts funding from projects long in the works.
—Sofi Zeman, Kansas City Star, 15 Feb. 2026
Spending millions on ineligible recipients only diverts resources from those most in need.
—Editorial, Boston Herald, 7 Feb. 2026
Instead, the funds are being used to produce a narrative that diverts attention from a major public health issue and discourages the press from covering it.
—Eleanor M. Perfetto, STAT, 7 Feb. 2026
Goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario goes long towards midfield, where Archie Gray diverts the ball to Rodrigo Bentancur.
—Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 14 Jan. 2026
These tissues regenerate constantly, so when protein is scarce, your body diverts amino acids away from these aesthetic functions toward more critical ones, like maintaining organ health and immunity.
—Lauryn Higgins, Time, 18 Dec. 2025
O’Neill directs the steamroller of tragedy right at the characters and then — atypically, delightfully — diverts it.
—Sara Holdren, Vulture, 14 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for diverts
Verb
-
The thing that amuses me the most?—
Baz Bamigboye,
Deadline,
22 Feb. 2026
-
In December, the two sat down in Exactly Right’s Burbank headquarters — a setting that still amuses them both.—
Mikey O'Connell,
HollywoodReporter,
15 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
If the world turns its back on eliminating these diseases, millions of people will be hurt by the boulder rolling back down.—
Philip Budge,
The Conversation,
5 Mar. 2026
-
In the fall, the foliage turns bright yellow, adding an extra boost of color as the growing season comes to an end.—
Lynn McAlpine,
Better Homes & Gardens,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Investigators said one of the men distracts the victim while another watches the victim input their PIN on the keypad.—
Matthew Rodriguez,
CBS News,
5 Mar. 2026
-
But wrapping this lesson with an expensive animatronic and a pre-recorded show with a Hollywood insider distracts from that message.—
Robert Niles,
Oc Register,
3 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
This style of theater both enlightens and entertains, each actor stepping out of the ensemble inside Kelleher’s direction that teeters on the edge of heavy-handidness without ever getting there.—
David John Chávez,
Mercury News,
25 Feb. 2026
-
Take the quiz here … EGG DROP — Chef entertains food festival crowd with unexpected crack.—
,
FOXNews.com,
24 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The next big weather maker swings through the area on Tuesday, causing the chance of severe weather.—
Lauren Bostwick,
CBS News,
8 Mar. 2026
-
While the materiality swings largely, from resin to beech, the consistency of the tones gives an orderly look to the home which is very important for small spaces.—
Giada Storelli,
Architectural Digest,
7 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Around the old-growth-fir dining table, Nansen regales us with tales of the rebuild.—
Jen Murphy,
Robb Report,
8 Mar. 2026
-
In the indie film, Hawke transforms himself into the diminutive composer, who regales attendees at Sardi’s bar with anecdotes about his career highs in the theater and bemoans the loss of his former partnership with Richard Rodgers.—
Caitlin Huston,
HollywoodReporter,
26 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Yas deflects her concerns as naivete.—
Spencer Kornhaber,
The Atlantic,
2 Mar. 2026
-
The Attorney General of the United States deflects and denies.—
Joshua Rothman,
New Yorker,
24 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Moments of physical intimacy between his protagonists are often relayed in rigid and frustratingly inexpressive language, which occasionally veers into the tiringly smutty.—
Taran Dugal,
New Yorker,
4 Mar. 2026
-
While Medicube’s marketing often veers toward a younger audience, the formula itself is particularly beneficial for mature skin.—
Iman Balagam,
Vogue,
3 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Diverts.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/diverts. Accessed 13 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
