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

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 divert One concern too is that the monies spent on building the simulation would potentially divert funds that could instead go toward building and improving AGI. Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 7 July 2025 The Bermudez item would allow Triple Five to request a special taxing district around the project to divert an unknown portion of property taxes from the American Dream property to pay for transportation costs. Douglas Hanks, Miami Herald, 2 July 2025 Severe weather conditions in the area led to ground stops and flights being diverted at the airport on Friday. Nadine El-Bawab, ABC News, 28 June 2025 Sharing surplus meals through community apps like Too Good To Go helps to address food insecurity while diverting food from landfills. Dianne Plummer, Forbes.com, 27 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for divert
Recent Examples of Synonyms for divert
Verb
  • The project amused Shaw-Rimmington—he’d never seen an actual stagecoach house built in that way, and certainly not in California.
    Jennie Rothenberg Gritz, Smithsonian Magazine, 1 July 2025
  • Fans of Pitch Perfect, which famously begins with Camp's Aubrey profusely upchucking all over the crowd at the a cappella finals, will be, if not delighted, at least amused to know that her new film, Bride Hard, begins in much the same way.
    Lauren Huff Published, EW.com, 21 June 2025
Verb
  • Then, as the century turned, the boys were pushed aside by rough young men.
    Julian Lucas, New Yorker, 15 July 2025
  • But the show has also increasingly thrived on the odd-couple chemistry between co-creator Downs, who plays Hollywood’s gentlest manager, and breakout star Stalter as his assistant turned partner.
    Judy Berman, Time, 15 July 2025
Verb
  • As the plant grows around it, the support becomes almost invisible and does not distract from the plant's beauty.
    Rita Pelczar, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 July 2025
  • The legal fight threatens to distract from the group's goals in a state where Democrats already struggle to adequately field and fund candidates.
    Kayla Dwyer, IndyStar, 14 July 2025
Verb
  • Ventriloquist: Marc Griffiths the ventriloquist will entertain children during a Kids Summer Reading program at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, July 10 at the Poway Library, 13137 Poway Road.
    Pomerado News, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 July 2025
  • Mario Lopez and his dimples have been entertaining us for about 40 years.
    Stephanie Sengwe, People.com, 12 July 2025
Verb
  • When Bacho moves in to make a move, Sakamoto swings a stock pot at Bacho's head, rendering him unconscious.
    Allison DeGrushe Published, EW.com, 14 July 2025
  • But when the opportunity presented itself to purchase the building block, Batchelor swung at the chance.
    Madeline Weinfield, Southern Living, 13 July 2025
Verb
  • Arriving onstage hours late, Stone regaled the astonished crowd with a diatribe against Jerry Goldstein, his manager since the early ’90s.
    Chris Morris, Variety, 9 June 2025
  • For example, Braun regaled how on a particularly windy day in West Palm Beach, the shuttle stopped along its route seemingly out of nowhere.
    Abigail Hasebroock, Sun Sentinel, 15 May 2025
Verb
  • Within minutes of the foul ball being deflected, the cameras at Fox (the network airing the game) were trained on Bartman, alternating between live shots of him in the stands and replays of the ball.
    Virginia Chamlee, People.com, 9 July 2025
  • High-trust organizations don’t deflect blame or delay communication.
    Brandon Spear, Forbes.com, 8 July 2025
Verb
  • The administration continues to navigate the fallout from the Epstein memo controversy while Trump seeks to redirect focus toward other policy priorities.
    Adeola Adeosun, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 July 2025
  • Sometimes, the boldest move is to redirect your energy toward what’s already working.
    James Barlow, Forbes.com, 10 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Divert.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/divert. Accessed 19 Jul. 2025.

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