divert

verb

di·​vert də-ˈvərt How to pronounce divert (audio)
dī-
diverted; diverting; diverts
Synonyms of divertnext

intransitive verb

: to turn aside : deviate
studied law but diverted to diplomacy

transitive verb

1
a
: to turn from one course or use to another : deflect
divert traffic to a side street
diverting funds to other projects
b
: distract
trying to divert her attention
2
: to give pleasure to especially by distracting the attention from what burdens or distresses
children diverting themselves with their toys

Synonyms

See all Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus 
Choose the Right Synonym for divert

amuse, divert, entertain mean to pass or cause to pass the time pleasantly.

amuse suggests that one's attention is engaged lightly.

amuse yourselves while I make dinner

divert implies distracting attention from worry or routine occupation especially by something funny.

a light comedy to divert the tired businessman

entertain suggests supplying amusement by specially contrived methods.

a magician entertaining children at a party

Examples of divert in a Sentence

Police diverted traffic to a side street. The stream was diverted toward the farmland. They were charged with illegally diverting public funds for private use. He lied to divert attention from the real situation. They're only proposing the law to divert attention from important issues.
Recent Examples on the Web The bill includes provisions to report whether any assistance to Gaza was diverted by Hamas. —Patrick Smith, NBC News, 26 Apr. 2024 Some friends had to sit and watch it with me: I would not be diverted. —Hamish Bowles, Vogue, 25 Apr. 2024 However, water is now diverted east and west from the lake, causing extra nutrients to enter the gulf and the Atlantic. —Max Inchausti, Field & Stream, 24 Apr. 2024 Garbage bags that don’t get opened are typically diverted to the landfill. —Natalie Wallington, Kansas City Star, 22 Apr. 2024 In July of last year, amid continuing legal challenges and national scrutiny, that water was finally diverted. —Maanvi Singh, WIRED, 20 Apr. 2024 The money solicited by Champion-Cain was instead diverted to her and her business enterprises, many of which were failing. —Lori Weisberg, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Apr. 2024 Civilian airports have been closed in Iran and flights from the Persian Gulf were diverted. —USA TODAY, 19 Apr. 2024 In another case, Hill diverted construction money for personal use. —Sydney Lake, Fortune, 19 Apr. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'divert.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English diverten "to turn in a certain direction, turn away, direct one's mind," borrowed from Middle French & Medieval Latin; Middle French divertir, borrowed (with conjugation change) from Medieval Latin dīvertere "to turn aside, deflect, alienate (property), depart," continuing both Latin dīvertere "to separate oneself (from), be different, diverge" (from dī-, variant before voiced sounds of dis- dis- + vertere "to cause to revolve, turn, spin") and dēvertere "to turn away, divert, make a turn aside/detour," from dē- de- + vertere — more at worth entry 4

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of divert was in the 15th century

Phrases Containing divert

Dictionary Entries Near divert

diversory

divert

divert/distract attention

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Divert.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/divert. Accessed 2 May. 2024.

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Kids Definition

divert

verb
di·​vert də-ˈvərt How to pronounce divert (audio)
dī-
1
a
: to turn aside : turn from one course or use to another
b
: to turn the attention away : distract
2
: to give pleasure to by causing the time to pass pleasantly
Etymology

Middle English diverten "to turn aside from a course," from early French divertir "to divert" and Latin divertere "to turn in opposite directions," from dis- "away, apart" and vertere "to turn" — related to converse, reverse, versatile

Legal Definition

divert

transitive verb
di·​vert də-ˈvərt, dī- How to pronounce divert (audio)
1
: to turn from one course or use to another
funds illegally diverted
2
: to place (a defendant) under a diversion
diverter noun

More from Merriam-Webster on divert

Nglish: Translation of divert for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of divert for Arabic Speakers

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