Synonyms of divert

divert

verb

də-ˈvərt 

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

• amuse
• entertain
• regale
• distract
• occupy
• appease
• delight
• solace
• busy
• please
• engross
• engage
• involve
• interest
• immerse
• captivate
• console
• enchant
• disport
• hypnotize
• absorb
• placate
• beguile
• indulge
• charm
• comfort
• bewitch
• spoil
• fascinate
• gratify
• pamper
• enthral
• pacify
• intrigue
• propitiate
• enthrall
• soothe
• mollify
• mesmerize
• pleasure
• conciliate
• content
• humor
• coddle
• oblige
• grip
• mollycoddle

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• bore
• drain
• wear
• exhaust
• weary
• wear out
• harass
• disturb
• aggravate
• annoy
• bother
• perturb
• tire
• upset
• fatigue
• pester
• jade
• enervate
• exasperate
• vex
• bug
• irk
• pique
• harry
• fret
• grate
• gall
• chafe
• peeve
• nettle

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

• turn
• swing
• deflect
• redirect
• whip
• veer
• shift
• move
• wheel
• avert
• deviate
• switch
• whirl
• sidetrack
• rechannel
• shunt
• transfer
• swivel
• swerve
• sway
• curve
• twist
• reverse
• turn back
• bend
• zigzag

3

as in to distract

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• distract
• detract
• throw off
• abstract
• amuse
• entertain
• call off
• stray
• wander
• beguile

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• focus
• concentrate

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

Recent Examples of divert

Three men staged a seizure to divert attention and steal a pair of the puppies — valued at over $8,000 — from Perfect Pets in Centennial, Colorado, a city about 14 miles south of downtown Denver, on Friday. —Matt Lavietes, NBC News, 25 Feb. 2025

An audit found more than 63% of Fayetteville's single-family residential waste and 70% of its commercial and multifamily waste could be diverted from the landfill. —Alex Golden, Axios, 24 Feb. 2025

An American Airlines spokesperson told CBS News Flight 292 was diverted due to a security concern, but did not elaborate. —Lucia Suarez Sang, CBS News, 23 Feb. 2025

The plane was diverted to St. John's, Newfoundland, at about 2:30 a.m. on Friday, according to Flightradar24, so paramedics could assist the ill passenger. —Kris Van Cleave, CBS News, 16 Feb. 2025