divert

verb

di·​vert də-ˈvərt How to pronounce divert (audio)
dī-
diverted; diverting; diverts

intransitive verb

: to turn aside : deviate
studied law but diverted to diplomacy

transitive verb

1
a
: to turn from one course or use to another : deflect
divert traffic to a side street
diverting funds to other projects
b
: distract
trying to divert her attention
2
: to give pleasure to especially by distracting the attention from what burdens or distresses
children diverting themselves with their toys
Choose the Right Synonym for divert

amuse, divert, entertain mean to pass or cause to pass the time pleasantly.

amuse suggests that one's attention is engaged lightly.

amuse yourselves while I make dinner

divert implies distracting attention from worry or routine occupation especially by something funny.

a light comedy to divert the tired businessman

entertain suggests supplying amusement by specially contrived methods.

a magician entertaining children at a party

Examples of divert in a Sentence

Police diverted traffic to a side street. The stream was diverted toward the farmland. They were charged with illegally diverting public funds for private use. He lied to divert attention from the real situation. They're only proposing the law to divert attention from important issues.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
The trustees opposed have previously expressed concern that the financial incentives offered to Crown would divert tax dollars away from local governments and other taxing bodies, like the school district. Molly Morrow, Chicago Tribune, 3 Apr. 2025 American Airlines flight to Tokyo from New York was diverted to Dallas, Texas for ‘maintenance issue’ Flight Aware data shows an American Airlines flight from New York City to Tokyo get diverted to Dallas, Texas on Monday after experiencing a maintenance issue, nearly 7 hours into the flight. Greg Wehner, FOXNews.com, 3 Apr. 2025 These should also be diverted away from the trash; visit the websites of local animal shelters, which often collect them to use as animal bedding. Petra Guglielmetti, Glamour, 2 Apr. 2025 To do so, divert some of your salary straight to your emergency fund, if possible, Irby Arnold suggests. Kamaron McNair, CNBC, 1 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for divert

Word History

Etymology

Middle English diverten "to turn in a certain direction, turn away, direct one's mind," borrowed from Middle French & Medieval Latin; Middle French divertir, borrowed (with conjugation change) from Medieval Latin dīvertere "to turn aside, deflect, alienate (property), depart," continuing both Latin dīvertere "to separate oneself (from), be different, diverge" (from dī-, variant before voiced sounds of dis- dis- + vertere "to cause to revolve, turn, spin") and dēvertere "to turn away, divert, make a turn aside/detour," from dē- de- + vertere — more at worth entry 4

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of divert was in the 15th century

Cite this Entry

“Divert.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/divert. Accessed 9 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

divert

verb
di·​vert də-ˈvərt How to pronounce divert (audio)
dī-
1
a
: to turn aside : turn from one course or use to another
b
: to turn the attention away : distract
2
: to give pleasure to by causing the time to pass pleasantly
Etymology

Middle English diverten "to turn aside from a course," from early French divertir "to divert" and Latin divertere "to turn in opposite directions," from dis- "away, apart" and vertere "to turn" — related to converse, reverse, versatile

Legal Definition

divert

transitive verb
di·​vert də-ˈvərt, dī- How to pronounce divert (audio)
1
: to turn from one course or use to another
funds illegally diverted
2
: to place (a defendant) under a diversion
diverter noun

More from Merriam-Webster on divert

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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