divert

American  

[dih-vurt, dahy-] / dɪˈvɜrt, daɪ- /

verb (used with object)

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

2. British. to route (traffic) on a detour.

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

4. to distract from serious occupation; entertain or amuse.

   Synonyms:

   delight

   Antonyms:

   bore

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verb (used without object)

1. to turn aside; veer.

   It is sad to see so much talent divert to trivial occupations.

divert British  

/ daɪˈvɜːt /

verb

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

2. (tr) to entertain; amuse

3. (tr) to distract the attention of

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Related Words

See amuse.

Other Word Forms

• divertedly adverb
• diverter noun
• divertible adjective
• diverting adjective
• divertingly adverb
• divertive adjective
• predivert verb (used with object)
• redivert verb (used with object)
• undiverted adjective
• undivertible adjective

Etymology

Origin of divert

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English, from Latin dīvertere, from dī- di- ² + vertere “to turn”

Example Sentences

To mitigate risks, the U.A.E. has outlined specific flight corridors for pilots and primed air-traffic controllers to rapidly divert aircraft.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 22, 2026

The DOJ alleged that the trio devised a plan with an unnamed South East Asia-based firm to divert US-made chips to brokers in China who were in close contact with Liaw and Chang.

From BBC • Mar. 20, 2026

Middle Eastern fossil-fuel producers are likely to build pipelines to divert products to the Red Sea from the Gulf.

From Barron's • Mar. 19, 2026

Saudi Arabia is currently attempting to divert about 70% of its crude oil shipments through a pipeline to the Red Sea, because it can’t transport them via their usual route through the Strait of Hormuz.

From Barron's • Mar. 13, 2026

I press a button, ripped from a coat, over the wound to divert direct pressure.

From "The Cruel Prince" by Holly Black

Related Words

• alter
• deflect
• redirect
• switch