diversionary

[ dih-vur-zhuh-ner-ee, -shuh-, dahy- ]

/ dɪˈvɜr ʒəˌnɛr i, -ʃə-, daɪ- /

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adjective

tending to divert or distract the attention: diversionary tactics of the guerrilla fighters.

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Origin of diversionary

First recorded in 1840–50; diversion + -ary

Words nearby diversionary

diversified farming, diversiform, diversify, diversion, diversional, diversionary, diversionist, diversity, divert, diverticular disease, diverticulectomy

How to use diversionary in a sentence

This could be another diversionary strategy to make us believe that they are following the federal court’s orders.
Locked up in the Land of Liberty: Part IV|Yariel Valdés González|July 28, 2021|Washington Blade
He says a great deal of human activity is basically diversionary.
Everything is awful. Here’s a Q&A with a philosopher about why cats rule.|Sean Illing|January 15, 2021|Vox
Rice managed to avoid jail time by entering a pretrial diversionary program.
Hey NFL Fans: Ray Rice Isn’t the Problem. You Are.|Steve Almond|July 24, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Last week, the trial took a diversionary turn of another kind courtesy of an event outside the courtroom.
The Hidden Horror of Whitey Bulger’s Trial|T.J. English|July 22, 2013|DAILY BEAST

In each case, the Justice Department used a diversionary tactic to contain the damage and to distract the public from the truth.
Edward Snowden’s Whistleblowing Saga Mirrors the Karen Silkwood Case|Richard Rashke|July 2, 2013|DAILY BEAST
This is a charge that would typically be resolved with a diversionary program.
Sovereign Citizens Are a Sometimes Violent Fringe Group Rejecting All Government|Winston Ross|December 30, 2012|DAILY BEAST
“He responds to serious criticism by a biting wisecrack or diversionary personal attack,” Evans added.
Sir Harold Evans Fights Back Against Rupert Murdoch at Leveson Inquiry|Mike Giglio|May 17, 2012|DAILY BEAST
The diversionary measures actually undertaken will be described presently.
The Blocking of Zeebrugge|Alfred F. B. Carpenter
He maintained a professional diversionary chatter as he administered the drug.
Monkey On His Back|Charles V. De Vet
"I'm going to try a diversionary tactic," Gunderson said on untappable tight-beam.
Postmark Ganymede|Robert Silverberg
Diversionary measures in this particular case were not difficult to evolve.
The Blocking of Zeebrugge|Alfred F. B. Carpenter
Without the benefit of a diversionary assault, two columns advanced simultaneously upon the right flank of the fort.
Fort Sumter National Monument, South Carolina|Frank Barnes