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diversionary

American

[dih-vur-zhuh-ner-ee, -shuh-, dahy-] / dɪˈvɜr ʒəˌnɛr i, -ʃə-, daɪ- /

adjective

tending to divert or distract the attention.

diversionary tactics of the guerrilla fighters.

Etymology

Origin of diversionary

First recorded in 1840–50; diversion + -ary

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

diversionary

But European consumer association Foodwatch accused multinationals of focusing on thresholds as a "diversionary tactic".

From Barron's ● Feb. 2, 2026

County district attorney’s office said the defendant’s “youth and lack of a criminal record were among the factors considered in” offering him a diversionary plea deal.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 28, 2025

Earlier this week, I explained why Attorney General Bondi’s request that federal judges release grand jury transcripts in the Jeffrey Epstein prosecutions is a none-too-clever diversionary tactic.

From Slate ● Jul. 25, 2025

The main bombing raid was on Bath, but Brixius's flight was on a diversionary path to draw RAF fighters away from the main pack.

From BBC ● Oct. 22, 2023

A small diversionary force feinted northward toward Bursa.

From "Middlesex: A Novel" by Jeffrey Eugenides

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023