divert
4 synonyms and 2 antonyms for divert, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Verb — To change the direction or course of something.
Synonyms
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Synonyms by Meaning
1. verb
To change the direction or course of something.
“Police diverted traffic away from the accident scene.”
Opposites
2. verb
To entertain or amuse someone.
“The clowns diverted the children while the parents queued for tickets.”
Opposites
How to use divert
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
divert attention
divert traffic
divert funds
Etymology
From Old French divertir, from Latin di- ("apart") plus vertere ("to turn") — related to verse and versus.
Full origin of divert →Frequently asked questions
What does “divert” mean?
The word “divert” means to change the direction or course of something. In plain terms, to redirect something — traffic, money, attention — away from its original path, or to keep someone amused.
How do you pronounce “divert”?
“Divert” is pronounced deye-VURT (/daɪˈvɝt/ in IPA).
How do you use “divert” in a sentence?
Here is “divert” used in a sentence: “Police diverted traffic away from the accident scene.”
What part of speech is “divert”?
“Divert” is a verb.
Where does the word “divert” come from?
The word “divert” comes from Latin. From Old French divertir, from Latin di- ("apart") plus vertere ("to turn") — related to verse and versus.
Is “divert” a common word?
“Divert” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “divert” have?
“Divert” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to change the direction or course of something.
