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Definition of "divert" []

  • To turn aside from a course or direction: Traffic was diverted around the scene of the accident. (verb-transitive)
  • To distract: My attention was diverted by an argument between motorists. (verb-transitive)
  • To entertain by distracting the attention from worrisome thoughts or cares; amuse. See Synonyms at amuse. (verb-transitive)
  • To turn aside. (verb-intransitive)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Use "divert" in a sentence
  • "Based on the White House's response to the last leak about Afghanistan, the temptation seems strong to once again divert attention away from accountability."
  • "If someone decides to try and divert from the conventional wisdom, the parties deem them non-viable and pull their support and money."
  • "Of course, the RGA desperately tries to divert from the corruption of Christie's associations with KARL ROVE (of all people), currently under investigation for ethics violation."