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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in turning
to change the course or direction of (something)
the bike race was diverted around the construction zone
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
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
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
Idaho Statesman, 12 June 2026
With nearly 20% of the world’s global oil flows initially disrupted by the war, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates are diverting more volumes via pipelines.
—Jordan Blum, Fortune, 12 June 2026
In May, Hawthorne got court permission to look into its allegations that the state was improperly diverting some of its funding to Fairmount Park in downstate Collinsville.
—Robert McCoppin, Chicago Tribune, 12 June 2026
The Moores profited off the scheme by placing themselves in positions on the boards that resulted in them receiving many of the ultimate payments, as well as diverting substantial funds paid by the participants to themselves, according to the news release.
—Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10 June 2026
Scene for scene, the movie is a vigorous and diverting ride.
—Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 9 June 2026
He was caught and, in April, pleaded guilty of diverting more than $270 million in Medicaid money.
—Las Vegas Review-Journal, Twin Cities, 7 June 2026
Creating parallel capabilities overseas risks duplicating existing infrastructure while diverting attention and resources from the interventions most likely to bring the outbreak under control.
—Krutika Kuppalli, STAT, 5 June 2026
Concurrently, the Met botch their way through their investigation, diverting all their attention to an entirely innocent man while ignoring the serial offender under their nose.
—Jon O'Brien, IndieWire, 3 June 2026
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
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
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
Verb
This journey requires them to climb fish ladders over dams, navigate culverts diverting streams under roads, and ascend up to elevations of 7,000 feet.
—Idaho Statesman, 12 June 2026
With nearly 20% of the world’s global oil flows initially disrupted by the war, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates are diverting more volumes via pipelines.
—Jordan Blum, Fortune, 12 June 2026
In May, Hawthorne got court permission to look into its allegations that the state was improperly diverting some of its funding to Fairmount Park in downstate Collinsville.
—Robert McCoppin, Chicago Tribune, 12 June 2026
The Moores profited off the scheme by placing themselves in positions on the boards that resulted in them receiving many of the ultimate payments, as well as diverting substantial funds paid by the participants to themselves, according to the news release.
—Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10 June 2026
Scene for scene, the movie is a vigorous and diverting ride.
—Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 9 June 2026
He was caught and, in April, pleaded guilty of diverting more than $270 million in Medicaid money.
—Las Vegas Review-Journal, Twin Cities, 7 June 2026
Creating parallel capabilities overseas risks duplicating existing infrastructure while diverting attention and resources from the interventions most likely to bring the outbreak under control.
—Krutika Kuppalli, STAT, 5 June 2026
Concurrently, the Met botch their way through their investigation, diverting all their attention to an entirely innocent man while ignoring the serial offender under their nose.
—Jon O'Brien, IndieWire, 3 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for diverting
Adjective
-
This is amusing but understandable; in an era where commodity fetishism has turned analog, low-budget cinema into something aspirational, Jenkin has made no compromises for accessibility.—
Sam Bodrojan,
IndieWire,
17 June 2026
-
Regal bontebok were replaced by stout warthogs, whose amusing visages quickly filled my camera roll.—
Lydia Price,
Travel + Leisure,
14 June 2026
Verb
-
Players trudged out of Atlanta Stadium (AKA Mercedes-Benz Stadium) with their eyes fixed on the floor, not even entertaining the thought of engaging with questions.—
Pol Ballús,
New York Times,
16 June 2026
-
The Season’s characters, entertaining in their obnoxiously wealthy and drama-prone ways but not exactly dimensional, simply aren’t built for close scrutiny.—
Angie Han,
HollywoodReporter,
16 June 2026
Verb
-
For the tournament, FIFA has introduced a three-minute hydration break in each half, effectively turning the game into four quarters.—
Tom Burrows,
New York Times,
17 June 2026
-
Witnesses saw the plane struggle to gain altitude before turning left, stalling and falling to the ground.—
Alexandra Skores,
CNN Money,
17 June 2026
Verb
-
In addition, intense, exciting soccer matches can be distracting and lead to overlooking subtle signs of dehydration.—
Lisa Fitzpatrick,
Forbes.com,
13 June 2026
-
Finally, toolbars are becoming more consistent, and the distracting icons in drop-down menus are quietly disappearing.—
Edward Mendelson,
PC Magazine,
10 June 2026
Adjective
-
Watching teams and players decide when to challenge and when not to has been fun, and keeping track of who’s good at it has been entertaining, as well.—
Jim Bowden,
New York Times,
16 June 2026
-
That was a fun one, with both teams staying aggressive throughout the match.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
16 June 2026
Verb
-
One morning earlier this week, Thomas Lupo, the president and CEO of the American Wood Column Corporation, was in his office regaling two young entrepreneurs with tales of his 110-year-old family business.—
Anne Kadet,
Curbed,
12 June 2026
-
His mind was as sharp as a tack, again regaling us with amazing hockey stories.—
Pierre LeBrun,
New York Times,
5 June 2026
Verb
-
With basic mobile coverage reaching 91% of the population, companies are redirecting their money toward advanced 5G networks and high-speed fiber lines.—
Alexander Onukwue,
semafor.com,
19 June 2026
-
The third pillar focuses on promoting financial and economic incentives such as redirecting agricultural subsidies toward regenerative practices and phasing out incentives that entrench linear production.—
Jennifer Bringle,
Footwear News,
15 June 2026
Adjective
-
Another beachgoer said the seaweed made spending time in the water less enjoyable than usual.—
Kelly McGreal,
FOXNews.com,
13 June 2026
-
The common thread is finding something sustainable and enjoyable enough to do regularly.—
Samantha Agate,
Sacbee.com,
13 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Diverting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/diverting. Accessed 20 Jun. 2026.
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