Synonyms for divert
Definitions
- v. 1
To turn aside from a course.
The workers diverted the stream away from the road.
- v. 2
To distract.
Don't let him divert your attention; keep your eye on the ball.
Forms
- Past participle
- diverted
e.g. diverted → amused, entertained, beguiled, pleased…
Choose the right word
To divert is to turn from serious thoughts or laborious pursuits to something that lightly and agreeably occupies the mind; one may be entertained or amused who has nothing serious or laborious from which to be diverted.
J. C. Fernald, English Synonyms and Antonyms (1914)
Example sentences
- entertain Will you entertain the guests while I get dressed?
- amuse He asked for a picture magazine to amuse himself.
- beguile He can beguile you with his manners.
- exhilarate A Christmas present like that will certainly exhilarate him.
- distract How does Mark distract himself from all that pain?
- deflect Deflect any question related to your personal life.
By length
- 4 letters
- turn1
- 5 letters
- relax2, alter2, amuse2, avert2
- 6 letters
- please1, change1
- 7 letters
- delight2, refresh2, pervert2, deflect2, deviate3, enliven3, beguile2, disport, offlead
- 8 letters
- abstract2, distract2, dissuade2
- 9 letters
- entertain3
- 10 letters
- exhilarate4
The small number after each word is its number of syllables (relax2 = 2 syllables).