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 The pilot of the plane declared an emergency and was forced to divert the flight back to Bradley. David Matthews, New York Daily News, 29 May 2025 The captain declared an emergency and the flight was diverted back to Bradley International Airport. Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 29 May 2025 Much of that waste is incinerated or ends up in a landfill, with only 2 percent of post-consumer textiles in Europe diverted to fiber-to-fiber recycling. Jennifer Bringle, Sourcing Journal, 28 May 2025 Traffic was diverted onto U.S. 6 during the closure. Lauren Penington, Denver Post, 27 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for divert
Recent Examples of Synonyms for divert
Verb
  • Start strong with its signature amuse bouche, an oyster—perhaps from St. Vaast or Oléron, depending on the season—served with a spicy margarita shot.
    Eleanor Aldridge, AFAR Media, 30 May 2025
  • Reddit Reacts The post sparked a wave of responses from Reddit users—some amused, some sympathetic, and others cautionary.
    Lydia Patrick, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 May 2025
Verb
  • There’s also this: Auston Matthews has only three years remaining on his contract and will turn 28 later this fall.
    Jonas Siegel, New York Times, 29 May 2025
  • Grayson Chrisley, who recently turned 19, now attends the University of Alabama.
    Melina Khan, USA Today, 29 May 2025
Verb
  • Growth must reinforce strategy, not distract from it.
    Ayo Adepoju, Forbes.com, 28 May 2025
  • But when the pair get to a higher point in order to try to see where the Wolves are/where Tommy might be, Ellie is distracted by a nearby aquarium, which has a giant ferris wheel nearby.
    Kimberly Roots, TVLine, 25 May 2025
Verb
  • Local entertainers, from hip-hop artists to visual artists, entertained the crowd for four hours, showing off their talents.
    Joseph Hernandez, Kansas City Star, 6 June 2025
  • The day of 19th-century-style outdoor recreation will feature a variety of traditional lawn games that once entertained early Californians, such as wheelbarrow races, sack races and tug-of-war.
    Linda Mcintosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 June 2025
Verb
  • The president's team has now swung the pendulum in the opposite direction from five years ago, even attempting to rescind findings of constitutional violations in the cities where Floyd and Taylor lost their lives.
    Phillip M. Bailey, USA Today, 27 May 2025
  • The momentum swung again on the next hole when Griffin saved par from behind a tree in the fairway and Schmid curiously aimed away from the hole with his ball plugged in a bunker, ended up in the rough and made bogey.
    CBS News, CBS News, 25 May 2025
Verb
  • Julia Ramírez and state Rep. Theresa Mah, passed by as marching bands from local schools regaled the parade-goers with music.
    Madeline Buckley, Chicago Tribune, 26 May 2025
  • Book Now During the 90-minute drive from Dubrovnik Airport to Montenegro’s Boka Bay community, my taxi driver regaled me with stories of all the famous people who’d been spotted along the Bay of Kotor, on Montenegro’s Adriatic Coast—from Johnny Depp and Bill Gates to Barack Obama.
    Siobhan Reid, Travel + Leisure, 22 May 2025
Verb
  • Communicate Honestly By contrast, companies that deflect responsibility or offer vague or misleading reasons for layoffs (or none at all) spark criticism that erodes trust.
    Nicole Tidei, Forbes.com, 5 June 2025
  • That was credited to Evander Kane at 3:28 of the third when his centering pass deflected in off Esa Lindell.
    Daniel Nugent-Bowman, New York Times, 30 May 2025
Verb
  • Voluntary exits create space to reshape teams and redirect talent without triggering the disruption, legal risk and political blowback that often come with forced terminations.
    Rita Numerof, Forbes.com, 26 May 2025
  • President Donald Trump has threatened to take away $3 billion in federal grants from Harvard University and redirect the money to trade schools, escalating a months-long battle with the Ivy League institution.
    Jesus Mesa, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Divert.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/divert. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.

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