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
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
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
Charlotte Observer, 20 Mar. 2026
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
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
-
Over the course of the show, their survival relationship turns into a strange, human relationship.—
Diana Lodderhose,
Deadline,
26 Mar. 2026
-
McConnell, who turns 37 next month, was officially introduced as the 28th head coach in Saint Mary’s history on Wednesday, succeeding Bennett, who left the school after 25 years to become Arizona State’s next head coach.—
Curtis Pashelka,
Mercury News,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
That is when Harbaugh will be able to crystallize for players like Cam Skattebo that football is the priority, and any outside nonsense that distracts from the goal of winning games is not going to be tolerated anymore.—
Pat Leonard,
New York Daily News,
23 Mar. 2026
-
Reading chairs can become hotspots for clutter, which distracts from rest.—
Shagun Khare,
The Spruce,
11 Mar. 2026
Verb
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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 gardening season, after all, swings into full gear for all the tender plants after the last frost.—
Seth Jacobson,
The Providence Journal,
20 Mar. 2026
-
The West Side’s 16th District, which swings from Cicero, Lyons and Riverside up through Melrose Park, features a three-way race steeped in tangled histories.—
A.D. Quig,
Chicago Tribune,
14 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
-
Christian therapists now widely condemn this as spiritual gaslighting that deflects accountability and compounds trauma.—
Ed Gaskin,
Boston Herald,
29 Mar. 2026
-
But Herb deflects any praise that comes his way.—
Greg Riddle,
Dallas Morning News,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
This is where Dorit veers wrong a bit.—
Brian Moylan,
Vulture,
27 Mar. 2026
-
The video, seemingly recorded by a witness from their home window, also shows Ritchson attempting to pick up his motorcycle, which then veers onto the grassy patch by the sidewalk while his two sons, also on motorbikes, watch the confrontation play out.—
Alexandra Del Rosario,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Diverts.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/diverts. Accessed 2 Apr. 2026.
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