divert

verb

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

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
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 But this overlooks the fact that, without stadium events, people might instead divert that money to savings, household expenses, or other non-entertainment purposes. Lee Igel, Forbes, 23 Oct. 2024 The machine will automatically divert bags with questionable items to a secure belt, allowing other bags to continue on the regular belt. Carlie Kollath Wells, Axios, 23 Oct. 2024 The Red Sea crisis has this year seen shipping companies divert trade around the southern coast of Africa, avoiding the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden following attacks on its vessels by Houthi rebels. Ryan Browne,jenni Reid,holly Ellyatt, CNBC, 22 Oct. 2024 Another Air India flight from Delhi to Chicago was diverted to the remote Canadian city of Iqaluit last week after a security threat was posted online. Mithil Aggarwal, NBC News, 22 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for divert 

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

Dictionary Entries Near divert

Cite this Entry

“Divert.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/divert. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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