diversionary

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

adjective

1. tending to divert or distract the attention.

   diversionary tactics of the guerrilla fighters.

Word History and Origins

Origin of diversionary¹

First recorded in 1840–50; diversion + -ary

Example Sentences

Less remarked upon were the protests staged in O’Brien’s name which, at the time, were as diversionary as they were puzzling.

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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.

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“The demonstrators became unruly and as a result less lethal noise flash diversionary devices were deployed to allow law enforcement to exit the scene as safely as possible,” O’Keefe said.

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Four of those cases did not result in charges and three were referred to a city attorney hearing, essentially a diversionary process that often ends without the filing of charges.

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“All the smuggling I did was done with diversionary tactics. I’ve still never shot a gun. I’m trying to go all the way.”

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