as in amusing
providing amusement or enjoyment
some tall and diverting tales were told by the festival's roving storyteller
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in entertaining
to cause (someone) to pass the time agreeably occupied
a light comedy to divert the tired business executive
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in turning
to change the course or direction of (something)
the bike race was diverted around the construction zone
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3
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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of diverting
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
Per The New York Times: Judging by comments on social media, many of those who tuned in found Mr. Bone to be the most diverting thing about the debate.
—Charles P. Pierce, Esquire, 10 Oct. 2016
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
Judging by comments on social media, many of those who tuned in found Mr. Bone to be the most diverting thing about the debate.
—Jonah Engel Bromwich, New York Times, 10 Oct. 2016
Colin Pascal, Baltimore Sun, 23 Mar. 2025
Instead of diverting limited local resources to do the job of federal immigration officials or funding immigrant detention, this bill empowers communities to keep the resources where they are needed most.
—Carlos Guillermo Smith and Dotie Joseph, Orlando Sentinel, 23 Mar. 2025
That’s a crucial step in diverting waste away from landfills.
—Melanie Stetson Freeman, The Christian Science Monitor, 23 Mar. 2025
The new measure would increase the threshold for wage-theft claims that the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment could enforce across all industries, diverting cases away from more expensive lawsuits.
—The Denver Post, 22 Mar. 2025
Courts would be flooded with petitions for sentence reductions, diverting attention from other pressing legal matters.
—Kurt W. Wolfgang, Baltimore Sun, 22 Mar. 2025
In 1959, Prince Edward County, Virginia, closed its public schools for five years, diverting tax monies to build a K-12 private academy for 1,400 white students and allotting their families tuition grants.
—Essence, 22 Mar. 2025
The legal costs associated with compliance have become a significant line item in operating budgets, diverting precious resources away from the core mission of providing quality affordable housing.
—Miranda Darden-Willems, Baltimore Sun, 20 Mar. 2025
Community leaders considered diverting some of that traffic with the objective of introducing visitors not just to the land, but to its original people.
—Elaine Glusac, Travel + Leisure, 18 Mar. 2025
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
Per The New York Times: Judging by comments on social media, many of those who tuned in found Mr. Bone to be the most diverting thing about the debate.
—Charles P. Pierce, Esquire, 10 Oct. 2016
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
Judging by comments on social media, many of those who tuned in found Mr. Bone to be the most diverting thing about the debate.
—Jonah Engel Bromwich, New York Times, 10 Oct. 2016
Verb
The Blueprint has so far been funded by taking money from existing revenue and by diverting money from the state’s rainy day fund, leaving us with less money to meet other obligations.
—Colin Pascal, Baltimore Sun, 23 Mar. 2025
Instead of diverting limited local resources to do the job of federal immigration officials or funding immigrant detention, this bill empowers communities to keep the resources where they are needed most.
—Carlos Guillermo Smith and Dotie Joseph, Orlando Sentinel, 23 Mar. 2025
That’s a crucial step in diverting waste away from landfills.
—Melanie Stetson Freeman, The Christian Science Monitor, 23 Mar. 2025
The new measure would increase the threshold for wage-theft claims that the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment could enforce across all industries, diverting cases away from more expensive lawsuits.
—The Denver Post, 22 Mar. 2025
Courts would be flooded with petitions for sentence reductions, diverting attention from other pressing legal matters.
—Kurt W. Wolfgang, Baltimore Sun, 22 Mar. 2025
In 1959, Prince Edward County, Virginia, closed its public schools for five years, diverting tax monies to build a K-12 private academy for 1,400 white students and allotting their families tuition grants.
—Essence, 22 Mar. 2025
The legal costs associated with compliance have become a significant line item in operating budgets, diverting precious resources away from the core mission of providing quality affordable housing.
—Miranda Darden-Willems, Baltimore Sun, 20 Mar. 2025
Community leaders considered diverting some of that traffic with the objective of introducing visitors not just to the land, but to its original people.
—Elaine Glusac, Travel + Leisure, 18 Mar. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for diverting
Adjective
-
Six books offer readers armchair travel, amusing characters, and a dash of history.—
Yvonne Zipp,
Christian Science Monitor,
1 Apr. 2025
-
Thankfully, in the case of Mark, the reality proved to be something much more amusing.—
Ron Estes,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
The house had multiple assets, including a grand entrance, original details, a welcoming front porch and a two-story carriage house that offered additional space for entertaining.—
Lana Bortolot,
New York Times,
10 Apr. 2025
-
Again, sight lines within the home are extended, making this the area perfect for entertaining groups of all sizes, including large parties.—
James Alexander,
Hartford Courant,
30 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Occupying and distracting the mind.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
13 Apr. 2025
-
While most of the acting is wonderful (Wyle is predictably great, but so is just about all of the main cast), some patient-of-the-week players err towards distracting histrionics.—
Judy Berman,
Time,
11 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Grey’s Memorable Moments View List Also, Blue is pretty fun, so wasn’t Winston’s instruction not to talk at the baseball game kinda… mean?—
Charlie Mason,
TVLine,
10 Apr. 2025
-
Part of the invitation design, and part of the idea of curating your event, also includes really fun attire recommendations.—
Maria Ward,
Vogue,
10 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Elle was also seen whipping her hands in a circle to the music during the awards ceremony.—
Stephanie Wenger,
People.com,
6 Jan. 2025
-
This instant camera captures little moments and big occasions on film, which feels a little more special than whipping out an iPhone.—
Malia Griggs,
Glamour,
2 Jan. 2025
Verb
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For many manufacturers, this means redirecting resources to address vulnerabilities in products that have already been in use for years.—
Christian Espinosa,
Forbes,
23 Dec. 2024
-
However, some sites in other states appear to be redirecting customers to nearby locations.—
Brandi D. Addison,
Austin American-Statesman,
20 Dec. 2024
Verb
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The combination of low humidity, dry fuels, and shifting winds has heightened the potential for spot fires and rapid expansion.—
Russell Lewis,
NPR,
8 Jan. 2025
-
The Daytime Emmys, which traditionally air in June (except when COVID and then the Hollywood strikes forced some rescheduling), will be shifting to October this year.—
Michael Schneider,
Variety,
8 Jan. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Diverting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/diverting. Accessed 25 Apr. 2025.
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