DIVERT Synonyms: 111 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'divert' different from other verbs like it?

The words amuse and entertain are common synonyms of divert . While all three words mean "to pass or cause to pass the time pleasantly," divert implies distracting attention from worry or routine occupation especially by something funny. // a light comedy to divert the tired businessman

Q: In what contexts can 'amuse' take the place of 'divert'?

The meanings of amuse and divert largely overlap; however, amuse suggests that one's attention is engaged lightly. // amuse yourselves while I make dinner

Q: When would 'entertain' be a good substitute for 'divert'?

Although the words entertain and divert have much in common, entertain suggests supplying amusement by specially contrived methods. // a magician entertaining children at a party

divert

verb

də-ˈvərt

Definition of divert

as in to amuse

to cause (someone) to pass the time agreeably occupied a light comedy to divert the tired business executive

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to turn

to change the course or direction of (something) the bike race was diverted around the construction zone

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in to distract

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

Synonym Chooser

How is the word divert different from other verbs like it?

The words amuse and entertain are common synonyms of divert. While all three words mean "to pass or cause to pass the time pleasantly," divert implies distracting attention from worry or routine occupation especially by something funny.

a light comedy to divert the tired businessman

In what contexts can amuse take the place of divert?

The meanings of amuse and divert largely overlap; however, amuse suggests that one's attention is engaged lightly.

amuse yourselves while I make dinner

When would entertain be a good substitute for divert?

Although the words entertain and divert have much in common, entertain suggests supplying amusement by specially contrived methods.

a magician entertaining children at a party

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 divert Machchhar also described an onboard emergency when a pregnant woman went into premature labor, forcing the crew to divert the plane. — Sheikh Saaliq, Los Angeles Times, 1 Oct. 2026 Two spare pilots, aboard in case regional rerouting pushed the original crew past duty limits, took over and diverted the plane to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia. — Mohammed Sergie, semafor.com, 1 Oct. 2026 The publishers alleged Google’s practices diverted traffic away from their sites, hurting their revenue. — Emma Roth, The Verge, 1 Oct. 2026 Millions of dollars in royalties that Smith diverted from real, deserving artists and rights holders. — Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 30 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for divert

Recent Examples of Synonyms for divert

Verb

This kind of conversation always leaves me half-amused, half-terrified.

— Alicja Turczyk, The Dial, 29 Sep. 2026
With these four words, Courtney O’Donnell gave zillennials a brain-rot character to call their own, a dash of midsummer Dada to amuse people getting nothing done on their computers.

— Kathryn VanArendonk, Vulture, 21 Sep. 2026

Definition of amuse

Verb

The service The service here is a nod to the turn-of-the-last-century where waiters and barmen wear starched white dinner jackets and a pianist serenades your cocktails in a grand salon.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Oct. 2026
Hidden Planet is the latest in the canon, this time turning the micro-cameras on the world of insects.

— Max Goldbart, Deadline, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of turn

Verb

His philosophy posits that nature should be the focus of any space, and this is true—trappings frame and do not distract from the views.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
Those moments shouldn't distract from the fact that Las Vegas looked every bit as good as the Chiefs for most of the game, and at certain points, better.

— Dan Zaksheske OutKick, FOXNews.com, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of distract

Verb

Less than 30 minutes by car to both Bath and Bristol, there’s plenty to keep all ages entertained, but perhaps the best thing to do is to enjoy the tranquility of the home’s river views before venturing out for dinner in a nearby pub.

— Katie Silcox, Vogue, 2 Oct. 2026
Bassam Tariq After Dark Screenings These soon-to-be-cult-classics are selected to thrill, scare and entertain.

— Tanya Fedak, Variety, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of entertain

Verb

In the top of the second, Shohei Ohtani walked to lead off the inning, then stole second as Teoscar Hernandez swung through strike three.

— Ian Miller OutKick, FOXNews.com, 8 Oct. 2026
The Ravens swung a surprise trade Wednesday for Eagles center Cam Jurgens, padding their interior offensive line after injuries to Jovaughn Gwyn and Ethan Pocic.

— Matt Weyrich, Baltimore Sun, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of swing

Verb

Turturro regaled attendees with stories about his impressive stage career.

— Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 27 Sep. 2026
If wokeness isn’t the most pressing matter in this year’s election, neither were the other golden oldies DeSantis recalled to regale the ballroom crowd at TPepin’s Hospitality Centre about his eight years in office.

— Michael Van Sickler, Miami Herald, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of regale

Verb

As internal discontent mounts, Chinese leaders will look to deflect it, framing the root cause as America’s civilizational rejection of China’s rise.

— Carl Minzner, Foreign Affairs, 5 Oct. 2026
Martin juked blockers late in the first half to deflect the first attempt, keeping the score at 7-7.

— Caleb Otte, Los Angeles Times, 3 Oct. 2026

Definition of deflect

Verb

Regional traffic will be redirected to roads such as Southwest 10th Street, Powerline Road, Dixie Highway and Sample Road, and local traffic will be redirected along Military Trail and Northeast Third Avenue.

— Amaia Gavica, Miami Herald, 3 Oct. 2026
Black box data and the position of the controls in the cockpit show the speed brakes and thrust reversers, which redirect air to slow the plane, were not used.

— Alexandra Skores, CNN Money, 1 Oct. 2026

Definition of redirect

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diversity

divert

diverted

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“Divert.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/divert. Accessed 10 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of divert

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