divert

[dih-vurt, dahy-]

verb (used with object)

1. to turn aside or from a path or course; deflect.

2. British.,  to route (traffic) on a detour.

3. to draw off to a different course, purpose, etc.

4. to distract from serious occupation; entertain or amuse.

   Synonyms: delight
   Antonyms: bore

verb (used without object)

1. to turn aside; veer.

   It is sad to see so much talent divert to trivial occupations.

divert

/ daɪˈvɜːt /

verb

1. to turn (a person or thing) aside from a course; deflect

2. (tr) to entertain; amuse

3. (tr) to distract the attention of

Other Word Forms

• divertive adjective
• diverter noun
• divertible adjective
• divertingly adverb
• diverting adjective
• divertedly adverb
• predivert verb (used with object)
• redivert verb (used with object)
• undiverted adjective
• undivertible adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of divert¹

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English, from Latin dīvertere, from dī- di- ² + vertere “to turn”

Word History and Origins

Origin of divert¹

C15: from French divertir, from Latin dīvertere to turn aside, from _di- ² + vertere to turn

Synonym Study

See amuse.

Example Sentences

"No evil propaganda video will weaken us or divert us from our determination to achieve these goals," the statement said.

From BBC

Houses have been evacuated and traffic has been diverted due to a security alert in Brewery Lane in Newtownards, County Down.

From BBC

Klein said the trip back from Hawaii had a little drama as the plane had engine problems and had to divert to Oahu.

From Los Angeles Times

New Delhi had offered Russia a lifeline after much of the oil supplies displaced by Western sanctions were diverted to India, which benefited from cheaper energy.

From BBC

D.C. federal courts, used to processing an average of six new cases per week, now face six or more cases per day, many stemming from low-level offenses that previously would’ve been diverted or even dismissed.

From Salon

Related Words

• alter 
• deflect 
• redirect 
• switch