1
2
as in amusement
the act or activity of providing pleasure or amusement especially for the public movies and television became two of the most popular and influential diversions of the 20th century

Synonyms & Similar Words

3
as in deviation
a turning away from a course or standard carefully weighed testimony that did not contain the slightest diversion from the truth

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 diversion For every stodgy conservator who might consider the guitar a tawdry, lowbrow diversion, there’s a cultural critic who dismisses it as an object of boomer nostalgia, about as musically relevant in this post-rockist era as the harpsichord. Nick Paumgarten, New Yorker, 19 May 2025 In December, Wallen pleaded conditionally guilty due to judicial diversion, and a Nashville judge sentenced him to one week of incarceration, to be served at a DUI education center, as well as two years' probation: one year for each of his misdemeanor charges for reckless endangerment. Bailey Richards, People.com, 9 May 2025 Jacks, who was fired by People Service, was accepted into Washington County’s diversion program, which allows first-time offenders to avoid convictions by successfully completing the conditions of probation. Nick Ferraro, Twin Cities, 8 May 2025 American spy agencies have explicitly warned about G42’s strong ties with China in the past, so this would significantly increase the risk of diversion of this technology to China. Elizabeth Shackelford, Chicago Tribune, 16 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for diversion
Recent Examples of Synonyms for diversion
Noun
  • Joe Marchese, a veteran ad exec and investor who once headed up sales at Fox Networks Group, has joined the board of directors at live entertainment firm Breakaway.
    Dade Hayes, Deadline, 28 May 2025
  • And yet, for many, that's a price worth paying to have Central Park in your backyard, the Met as your local museum, and Broadway-caliber talent for regular entertainment.
    Amelia Mularz, Architectural Digest, 28 May 2025
Noun
  • One parent judge loves these stacking cups for their endless amusement.
    Pamela Brill, Parents, 22 May 2025
  • Cruise also got a lot of props for once again putting his life on the line for our amusement.
    Bethy Squires, Vulture, 15 May 2025
Noun
  • But for the most part, the pattern established by Reagan has persisted ever since, and deviations — like Bush’s tax hike, which contributed to his loss in 1992 — are remembered more as cautionary tales than examples to emulate.
    Dylan Matthews, Vox, 22 May 2025
  • Both the North Carolina appeals court and the North Carolina Supreme Court allowed some of the votes in question to be tossed out—a stark deviation from other courts who considered and dismissed such claims in the last few years.
    Sean Morales-Doyle, Time, 21 May 2025
Noun
  • Julia Sanchez, a recreation supervisor, said each year the Park District selects a different park for people to explore on Kids to Parks Day.
    Steve Sadin, Chicago Tribune, 20 May 2025
  • Digital recreations of a young Carrie Fisher and Mark Hamill (as Princess Leia and Luke Skywalker) have also appeared in the franchise.
    Dani Di Placido, Forbes.com, 20 May 2025
Noun
  • Now a trio, following the departure of bassist Max Oleartchik, Big Thief recorded Double Infinity live over the span of three weeks at New York’s Power Station, with longtime collaborator Dom Monks handling production, engineering, and mixing duties.
    Walden Green, Pitchfork, 3 June 2025
  • Rittman said Tuesday that though Shawnee police officers spoke to Manny over the phone, the department will continue to investigate Manny and Luca’s departure until officers can make contact with them in person.
    Mike Hendricks, Kansas City Star, 3 June 2025
Noun
  • Set in 1950, but exploring the mystery of individual temperament at the center of worldwide millennial conflict, The Phoenician Scheme poses Welles’s inquiry about human nature while appealing to movie-lovers’ delight.
    Armond White, National Review, 30 May 2025
  • These events, often held in vibrant and relaxed settings, offer a blend of flavorful food and premium cannabis, allowing attendees to indulge in both culinary delights and recreational use of cannabis in a socially engaging environment.
    Matt Rozo, Mercury News, 29 May 2025
Noun
  • The official detour route will direct drivers heading north on Route 31 to use Fabyan Parkway, Route 25 and then State Street, and the reverse for drivers traveling south.
    Aurora Beacon-News, Chicago Tribune, 24 May 2025
  • Reckoning It’s been a bumpy road for the Mission: Impossible franchise (from varying quality to a brief Jeremy Renner detour), but one thing remains constant: Tom Cruise will risk his life for cinema.
    Savannah Salazar, Vulture, 23 May 2025
Noun
  • And Kelce and Mahomes will take part in the Big Slick fun, which begins Thursday night.
    Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 29 May 2025
  • Watch Brazilian nun show off beatboxing skills 'Beautiful to see' Soon after the beats and the dancing started flowing, one of the hosts joined in on the fun.
    Taylor Ardrey, USA Today, 29 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Diversion.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/diversion. Accessed 6 Jun. 2025.

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