divert

American  

[dih-vurt, dahy-] / dɪˈvɜrt, daɪ- /

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

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verb (used without object)

1. to turn aside; veer.

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

divert British  

/ 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

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Related Words

See amuse.

Other Word Forms

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

Etymology

Origin of divert

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

Example Sentences

The high pressure becomes stronger and gets stuck so the low pressure systems can't push through and get diverted, resulting in the same type of weather for an area for days or weeks.

From BBC

Musk’s newfound focus on the moon may come as a surprise to some, since the SpaceX CEO has in the past dismissed the idea of diverting resources away from a Mars effort.

From MarketWatch

Musk’s newfound focus on the moon may come as a surprise to some, since the SpaceX CEO has in the past dismissed the idea of diverting resources away from a Mars effort.

From MarketWatch

The construction firm behind the dam says there is no reason why it would divert waters from Egypt.

From Barron's

Tesla moved forward with the xAI investment despite objections from some shareholders, who had questioned the decision to divert resources to another Musk firm.

From BBC

Related Words

• alter
• deflect
• redirect
• switch