Words / C1

dy-VURT/daɪˈvɜːt/

To divert is to change the direction of traffic, money, or attention: divert traffic, divert funds, divert attention from. Redirect is a close official synonym; distract is the everyday verb for attention. Diversion is the noun (a diversion on the ring road; also an amusement). In speech, send another way or take attention away is clearer. You divert something from A to B.

Meaning

To change the direction of something, or to take attention away from it.

Examples

• “The police diverted traffic away from the square.”
• “Police diverted buses away from the flooded underpass.”
• “A joke at the start diverted attention from the weak data.”

Good to know

divert traffic/funds/attention. Noun: diversion. Everyday: redirect / distract. from… to…

Near in meaning

redirect

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