DIVERTING Synonyms: 177 Similar and Opposite Words

diverting 1 of 2

adjective

də-ˈvər-tiŋ

Definition of diverting

as in amusing

providing amusement or enjoyment some tall and diverting tales were told by the festival's roving storyteller

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

diverting

2 of 2

verb

present participle of divert

as in entertaining

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in turning

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in distracting

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

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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 diverting

Adjective

But you were also treated to a diverting and delightful narrative, rich with insider’s lore. — BostonGlobe.com, 26 July 2021 The plan also would call for constant testing of players and staff, which could mean diverting resources from public health care. — Nick Piecoro, azcentral, 6 Apr. 2020 Both popular and science media show an outsized fondness for brain imaging studies, inspiring much work more diverting than informative. — David Dobbs, WIRED, 4 July 2006

Verb

Its report accused him of diverting funds for fictitious missions and claiming reimbursals for per diem costs and plane tickets for nearly a dozen trips between 2019 and 2024. — Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 27 Aug. 2026 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 This year alone, $5 billion in taxpayer funds will be siphoned away from public schools to prop up Florida’s unaccountable voucher program, diverting dollars from the more than 80% of children who attend public schools. — Andrew Spar, Sun Sentinel, 24 Aug. 2026 All this scattershot world-building and world-visiting allows for some colorfully diverting vignettes, in which production designer Alexandra Walker and costume designer Ann Maskrey get to show off their giddy, gaudy wares. — Guy Lodge, Variety, 22 Aug. 2026 Discovery merger as prolonged uncertainty runs the risk of diverting time and resources away from achieving these priorities. — Erik Hayden, HollywoodReporter, 18 Aug. 2026 Still, diverting textiles from landfill does not necessarily make a system circular. — Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 18 Aug. 2026 Starting in early 2025, Salisbury oversaw the unprecedented reassignment of more than 6,000 agents to immigration enforcement, diverting most of the agency from its normal duties. — Peter Elkind, ProPublica, 14 Aug. 2026 Microsoft has tried to diversify from its longtime partner while diverting computing resources toward improving Copilot. — Sebastian Herrera, Fortune, 13 Aug. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for diverting

Adjective

That closeness, however, has made the internet’s speculation about their secret romantic arrangement particularly amusing to Bunny, who tells PEOPLE that there is no hidden relationship between the three.

— Tereza Shkurtaj, PEOPLE, 29 Aug. 2026
American style can be at turns confounding, amusing, and aspirational.

— Luis Alberto Rodriguez, Vanity Fair, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of amusing

Verb

Investigators say Santos was barred from trading on his own attendance but still placed large bets and issued misleading social media posts aimed at moving prices, turning a $17,839 profit.

— Larry Neumeister, Los Angeles Times, 31 Aug. 2026
For generations of American teenagers, turning 16 and getting a driver’s license has been a rite of passage—and a first taste of independence.

— Preston Fore, Fortune, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of turning

Verb

The distracting Diwali fireworks distracted led to reshoots of the pivotal moment.

— Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 26 Aug. 2026
Not only are these sheer curtains over half off right now, but the subtle stripe adds just enough visual interest without distracting from your room’s overall design scheme.

— Kate McGregor, Architectural Digest, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of distracting

Adjective

While clearing mobs of enemies can be fun, the combat really shines during the game’s many boss fights.

— Zackery Cuevas, PC Magazine, 31 Aug. 2026
The Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad provides a fun way to take in the autumn scenery, with plenty of family-friendly excursions on the schedule.

— Beth Luberecki, USA Today, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of fun

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
One morning earlier this week, Thomas Lupo, the president and CEO of the American Wood Column Corporation, was in his office regaling two young entrepreneurs with tales of his 110-year-old family business.

— Anne Kadet, Curbed, 12 June 2026

Definition of regaling

Verb

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
His trajectory shifts when a virtual quest screen appears before him, redirecting him toward life as an army cook.

— Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of redirecting

Adjective

As Pierre looks back on filming, one of the most enjoyable parts of the episode was getting to work with the child actors, including Jayce Eiland and Cairo Cash Lee, who play the younger versions of John.

— Matt Minton, Variety, 31 Aug. 2026
Whatever the intent, the end result is a perversely enjoyable bit of schlock.

— Andy Andersen, Vulture, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of enjoyable

Browse Nearby Words

diverted

diverting

divertissement

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Style

“Diverting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/diverting. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of diverting

adjective

verb

Example Sentences

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