diversionist

[dih-vur-zhuh-nist, -shuh-, dahy-]

noun

1. a person engaged in activities that divert attention from a primary focus.

2. a person who deviates politically.

Other Word Forms

• diversionism noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of diversionist¹

First recorded in 1935–40; diversion + -ist

Example Sentences

How could a trained KGB diversionist pass up such an opportunity?

Read more on Forbes

Armenian border guards fought off a group of between 15 and 20 "armed diversionists" trying to "invade Armenian territory" in the Tovuz district, which borders Qazax, the ministry said.

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