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 El Niño’s warm ocean water alters the atmospheric circulation above, diverting storm tracks and changing patterns of floods, droughts and tropical storms around the globe. — Julia Cole, The Conversation, 27 Aug. 2026 The complaint asks Bonta to investigate whether charitable funds were diverted for Miranda’s personal benefit and recover any money found to have been misused. — Naomi Taxay, Sacbee.com, 26 Aug. 2026 All southbound lanes of the 405 Freeway were closed, with traffic diverted onto Burbank Boulevard during the emergency response. — City News Service, Daily News, 26 Aug. 2026 Instead, your body diverts its limited calories elsewhere, pushing hair follicles into a two- to four-month resting phase before hair eventually sheds. — Maggie Ryan, Flow Space, 25 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for divert

Recent Examples of Synonyms for divert

Verb

Horgan ended up incorporating some of those videos—AI slop of dogs blowing up houses with laser beam eyes, for instance—which amused Murphy.

— Joy Press, Vanity Fair, 24 Aug. 2026
Students were especially amused that AI had John Singer, who acts as a hub connecting all the other characters, speaking on a variety of subjects.

— Billy J. Stratton, The Conversation, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of amuse

Verb

After successful demonstration in ground and airborne trials, the company turned its attention to a GravNav, a system that senses changes in gravity fields.

— Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 28 Aug. 2026
There’s no better time to start turning your closet over for the season ahead.

— Kristina Rutkowski, Vogue, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of turn

Verb

Nothing will keep you from sleeping or distract you from studying like itchy bug bites or the constant sneezing and drippy nose of seasonal allergies.

— Dr. Jill Grimes, CNN Money, 29 Aug. 2026
The long seven-month offseason has been filled with congressional legislation, eligibility lawsuits, CFP expansion and plenty of other storylines that have distracted from the product on the field.

— Trey Wallace OutKick, FOXNews.com, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of distract

Verb

In the early ‘60s, the Tower Theater’s films entertained Cuban refugees and introduced them to American culture, making the theater a cultural cornerstone for the local Cuban community.

— Amanda Rosa, Miami Herald, 28 Aug. 2026
My job is to give people joy and entertain them and take them away from, frankly, at the moment, some of the misery of life, where they can get lost in the live gig for two hours.

— Katie Bain, Billboard, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of entertain

Verb

Instead, the chief executive said Hilton's middle- and upper-middle segments have swung from posting negative numbers to growing at rates as high as 6%.

— Alex Harring, CNBC, 29 Aug. 2026
The Slingshot surges forward as the tach swings toward redline, the exhaust emitting a guttural howl.

— William Roberson, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of swing

Verb

The two dashing newcomers have since been regaling the Georgia Aquarium’s existing belugas, a quartet of females*, with tales of their peregrinations.

— AJ Willingham, AJC.com, 17 Aug. 2026
Baker was known to regale locals with the history of their own homes and the founding Monrovians who lived there before them.

— Dakota Kim, Los Angeles Times, 6 Aug. 2026

Definition of regale

Verb

Ted deflects the questions, but the friendly encounter only seems to make Alice dig in.

— Keith Phipps, Vulture, 2 Sep. 2026
Chemical sunscreen filters absorb UV rays, while the zinc oxide and titanium dioxide in mineral sunscreens sit on the skin’s surface and physically deflect them.

— Alison Abbey Hudak, Footwear News, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of deflect

Verb

Time saved that is never redirected becomes organizational slack, and slack is invisible in financial statements.

— Emily Lewis-Pinnell, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2026
On Thursday, an older gentleman started at the sign with a green arrow redirecting patrons on the post-construction path.

— Idaho Statesman, Idaho Statesman, 30 Aug. 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 5 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of divert

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