divert

[ dih-vurt, dahy- ]

/ dɪˈvɜrt, daɪ- /

SEE SYNONYMS FOR divert ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used with object)

to turn aside or from a path or course; deflect.

British. to route (traffic) on a detour.

to draw off to a different course, purpose, etc.

to distract from serious occupation; entertain or amuse.

verb (used without object)

to turn aside; veer: It is sad to see so much talent divert to trivial occupations.

Words nearby divert

diversion, diversional, diversionary, diversionist, diversity, divert, diverticular disease, diverticulectomy, diverticulitis, diverticuloma, diverticulosis

Origin of divert

1400–50; late Middle English < Latin dīvertere, equivalent to dī- di-² + vertere to turn

SYNONYMS FOR divert

4 delight.

SEE SYNONYMS FOR divert ON THESAURUS.COM

ANTONYMS FOR divert

4 bore.

SEE ANTONYMS FOR divert ON THESAURUS.COM

OTHER WORDS FROM divert

di·vert·ed·ly, adverbdi·vert·er, noundi·vert·i·ble, adjectivepre·di·vert, verb (used with object)

re·di·vert, verb (used with object)un·di·vert·ed, adjectiveun·di·vert·i·ble, adjective

synonym study for divert

4. See amuse.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Examples from the Web for divert

But the fact that they have had to divert funds and resources for Ebola means their original objectives have been sidetracked.
What’s Worse Than Ebola in West Africa? Almost Everything|Barbie Latza Nadeau|October 23, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Three planes have been forced to divert because of fights over reclining seats.
Solution to Seat Rage: No More Reclining|Will Doig|September 4, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Next to you is a signal switch that will divert the train down a sidetrack or “spur.”
Would You Kill the Fat Man? And Other Conundrums|Robert Herritt|December 6, 2013|DAILY BEAST
It was either cut pensions and benefits or lay off workers and divert money from schools and infrastructure.
Scott Walker Is the Perfect Republican Candidate for 2016 (on Paper)|David Freedlander|November 20, 2013|DAILY BEAST

We resolve to stay the course, even when storms try to divert us.
Why Favoritism Is Virtuous: The Case Against Fairness|Stephen T. Asma|December 7, 2012|DAILY BEAST
Strangely enough Guntello's death seemed to divert her mind entirely from the idea of avenging herself on Almo.
The Unwilling Vestal|Edward Lucas White
By the time the tales have gone round, the heat of the sun will have abated, and we can then divert ourselves as best we like.
The World's Greatest Books, Vol. I|Various
Another aim is to divert traffic from the Pennsylvania Railroad, which does a large suburban business along its main line.
Charities and the Commons: The Pittsburgh Survey, Part II: The Place|Various
The girls promise to entertain and divert these while the men make off with the booty.
Stars of the Opera|Mabel Wagnalls
Even the sight of Morton Elwell seemed hardly to divert her preoccupation.
Wheat and Huckleberries|Charlotte Marion (White) Vaile

British Dictionary definitions for divert

divert

/ (daɪˈvɜːt) /

verb

to turn (a person or thing) aside from a course; deflect

(tr) to entertain; amuse

(tr) to distract the attention of

Derived forms of divert

diverter, noundivertible, adjectivediverting, adjectivedivertingly, adverb

divertive, adjective

Word Origin for divert

C15: from French divertir, from Latin dīvertere to turn aside, from di- ² + vertere to turn

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

divert

verb (used with object)

verb (used without object)

Words related to divert

Words nearby divert

Origin of divert

SYNONYMS FOR divert

ANTONYMS FOR divert

OTHER WORDS FROM divert

synonym study for divert

Examples from the Web for divert

British Dictionary definitions for divert

verb

Derived forms of divert

Word Origin for divert