Divert — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

verb /də-ˈvərt/ di·vert

Meaning & Definition of Divert

Divert (verb)

  1. to turn aside, deviate
  2. to turn from one course or use to another, deflect
  3. distract

Divert (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to cause (someone) to pass the time agreeably occupied

    "a light comedy to divert the tired business executive"

    similar: amuse, disport, entertain, regale, solace
    related: absorb, busy, distract, engage, engross, immerse, interest, involve, occupy, beguile, bewitch, captivate, charm, delight, enchant, enthrall, fascinate, grip, hypnotize, intrigue, mesmerize, coddle, gratify, humor, indulge, mollycoddle, pamper, please, pleasure, spoil, appease, comfort, conciliate, console, content, mollify, oblige, pacify, placate, propitiate, soothe
    near: bore, jade, drain, enervate, exhaust, fatigue, tire, wear, wear out, weary, aggravate, annoy, bother, bug, chafe, disturb, exasperate, fret, gall, grate, harass, harry, irk, nettle, peeve, perturb, pester, pique, upset, vex

  2. to change the course or direction of (something)

    "the bike race was diverted around the construction zone"

    similar: deflect, redirect, swing, turn, veer, wheel, whip
    related: avert, deviate, move, rechannel, shift, shunt, sidetrack, swerve, switch, transfer, swivel, twist, whirl, zigzag, bend, curve, sway, reverse, turn back

  3. 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"

    similar: abstract, call off, detract, distract, throw off
    related: amuse, beguile, entertain, stray, wander
    near: concentrate, focus

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Divert

The most common words with a similar meaning to Divert:

amuse, disport, entertain, regale, solace, deflect, redirect, swing, turn, veer, wheel, whip, abstract, call off, detract, distract, throw off

Related Words for Divert

absorb, busy, engage, engross, immerse, interest, involve, occupy, beguile, bewitch, captivate, charm, delight, enchant, enthrall, fascinate, grip, hypnotize, intrigue, mesmerize, coddle, gratify, humor, indulge, mollycoddle, pamper, please, pleasure, spoil, appease

Near Antonyms of Divert

bore, jade, drain, enervate, exhaust, fatigue, tire, wear, wear out, weary, aggravate, annoy, bother, bug, chafe, disturb, exasperate, fret, gall, grate, harass, harry, irk, nettle, peeve, perturb, pester, pique, upset, vex

Word Forms of Divert

Inflections: diverted, diverting, diverts

Origin & Etymology of Divert

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 worth:4

First known use: 15th centuryi

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Divert

Words & Phrases Containing Divert

divert/distract attention

Frequently Asked Questions about Divert

What does "Divert" mean?

"Divert" means to turn aside, deviate. As a verb, it is defined as: to turn aside, deviate. It has 3 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Divert"?

Other words for "Divert" include amuse, disport, entertain, regale, solace, deflect, redirect and swing. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Divert" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Divert"?

There are 78 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Divert". Common alternatives include amuse, disport, entertain, regale, solace, deflect, redirect, swing, turn and veer.

How do you use "Divert" in a sentence?

Examples of "Divert" in a sentence: "a light comedy to divert the tired business executive"; "the bike race was diverted around the construction zone"; "trying to divert the child with a toy while the doctor was giving her a shot".

Is "Divert" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Divert" is a verb.

Is "Divert" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a C1-level word, "Divert" is typical of Cambridge C1 Advanced (CAE), IELTS band 7.0–8.0, TOEFL iBT 95–113, PTE Academic 76–84, TOEIC Listening & Reading 945+. Advanced words like this are also useful for the GRE, SAT, GMAT, and LSAT.

How do you pronounce "Divert"?

"Divert" is pronounced /də-ˈvərt/ and divided into syllables as di·vert.

What is the origin of the word "Divert"?

"Divert" comes from 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 worth:4. First known use: 15th centuryi.