1
as in to amuse
to cause (someone) to pass the time agreeably occupied
a light comedy to divert the tired business executive
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to turn
to change the course or direction of (something)
the bike race was diverted around the construction zone
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of divert
Any bags or items that require further TSA attention are automatically diverted along the conveyor belt, allowing other travelers’ belongings to keep moving through the screening process without causing a backlog.
—
Elizabeth Hernandez, Denver Post, 4 Aug. 2025
Some flights were diverted or delayed after that quake, and Amtrak slowed trains throughout the busy Northeast corridor.
—Alexa St. John, Chicago Tribune, 3 Aug. 2025
While the highway was closed, traffic on Highway 16 eastbound was diverted off the highway at the Main Street exit, according to WisDOT.
—Liliana Fannin, jsonline.com, 1 Aug. 2025
All southbound lanes of Texas 121 in the area were closed, and traffic was being diverted to Texan Trail.
—Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 1 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for divert
Elizabeth Hernandez, Denver Post, 4 Aug. 2025
Some flights were diverted or delayed after that quake, and Amtrak slowed trains throughout the busy Northeast corridor.
—Alexa St. John, Chicago Tribune, 3 Aug. 2025
While the highway was closed, traffic on Highway 16 eastbound was diverted off the highway at the Main Street exit, according to WisDOT.
—Liliana Fannin, jsonline.com, 1 Aug. 2025
All southbound lanes of Texas 121 in the area were closed, and traffic was being diverted to Texan Trail.
—Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 1 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for divert
Recent Examples of Synonyms for divert
Verb
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The black-and-tan longhair dachshund, named Linky, appeared amused in the short clip shared to TikTok on August 5 by his owner, under @lincolnshiresausagedog.—
Melissa Fleur Afshar,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 Aug. 2025
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The same friends who drove the country last summer decided to drop off their rental car in Dubrovnik and fly one-way back to Zagreb, amused to be on the same cramped flight with the exceptionally tall members of the Croatian men’s basketball team.—
Amy Nelson,
Twin Cities,
10 Aug. 2025
Verb
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And in it, the documentary crew that followed Dunder Mifflin’s Scranton branch for nine seasons turns its cameras on a struggling Ohio newspaper, the Toledo Truth Teller.—
Dave Nemetz,
TVLine,
7 Aug. 2025
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If the edges of the leaves turn yellow or dry and the flowers fade and appear limp, your rose isn’t getting enough water.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
7 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Listen for the signs Notifications, newsfeeds and WhatsApp groups are distracting you from making a difference with your work.—
Jodie Cook,
Forbes.com,
7 Aug. 2025
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Meanwhile, the Carter administration was distracted by other global events: the Panama Canal crisis, the SALT II negotiations with Moscow, the Israeli-Egyptian peace talks.—
Arash Azizi,
The Atlantic,
5 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Yet, Trump’s measured tone with Zelenskyy and willingness to entertain significant U.S. involvement in a post-war security arrangement were notable after his chummy summit with Putin, heartening supporters of Ukraine.—
Zac Anderson,
USA Today,
19 Aug. 2025
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But what may have shifted is President Donald Trump's patience to entertain steadfast Russian demands.—
Ellie Cook,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Aug. 2025
Verb
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The company swung to a net income of $1.58 billion for the three months ended in June from a massive loss pushing $10 billion the year before.—
Jill Goldsmith,
Deadline,
7 Aug. 2025
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However, the firm swung to a loss of £19.2 million from a profit of £1.3 million in the same 2024 period.—
Royston Wild,
Forbes.com,
7 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Born in a cave more than 60 years ago, Mrs. Hậu regales us with a lifetime’s wisdom—local folklore, natural history, personal methods for fighting COVID—while one of her grandchildren, in the here and now, faces a heartbreaking domestic struggle.—
Christian Zilko,
IndieWire,
7 Aug. 2025
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During our drive, Alex, a seasoned Hawaii resident with over 20 years of experience, regaled us with fascinating facts and local lore about the Islands.—
Ronny Maye,
Forbes.com,
1 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Putin will be trying to deflect any further U.S. implementation of secondary sanctions on Russian oil exports or banks, or seizure of frozen Russian assets.—
Trudy Rubin,
Mercury News,
15 Aug. 2025
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For much of her tenure, Lyles managed to deflect controversies without much lasting criticism attached to her reputation, said Brendan K. Maginnis, a Democrat in the mayoral race.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
14 Aug. 2025
Verb
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And since iPhone models available in the United States don’t precisely match those sold elsewhere, Apple can’t just redirect iPhones intended for different markets.—
Lisa Eadicicco,
CNN Money,
7 Aug. 2025
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Perhaps the Red Sox will redirect Devers’ money to Bregman this winter.—
Tyler Kepner,
New York Times,
2 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Divert.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/divert. Accessed 21 Aug. 2025.
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