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

They said motorists should allow extra time for their journeys and take extra care on the diversionary routes.

From BBC

Though German military leaders had been expecting an invasion, they believed the initial attacks were only a diversionary tactic.

From BBC

Meanwhile, their diversionary hypotheticals were not only insulting to the office of the presidency and to American Democracy, they were also totally irrelevant or off the legal mark.

From Salon

In an attempt to gain control of this strategic channel, British, Australian, and New Zealand troops landed on the peninsula in April, while French troops staged a diversionary landing to the south.

From Literature

Their mad dash for the French border involves multiple stolen cars, a diversionary motorbike, a hijacked speedboat, and a beachfront shootout.

From New York Times