divert
Intermediate (B1)
IPA: /dɪˈvɜːrt/
KK: /dɪˈvɜrt/
intransitive verb
Definition
To change direction or focus from one thing to another.
Example
The river diverts around the large rock.
Tense Forms
Past: diverted
Past Participle: diverted
Conversation
Did you see how that car diverted off the road earlier?
Yeah, I noticed! It was really unexpected.
I wonder if the driver was okay after they diverted like that.
I hope so too; it looked pretty scary.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
veer
swerve
digress
Antonyms
stay
remain
continue
transitive verb
Definition
To change the direction of something or to distract someone's attention from something.
Example
The teacher tried to divert the students' attention back to the lesson.
Tense Forms
Past: diverted
Past Participle: diverted
Conversation
I found a great way to divert my mind when I'm stressed out.
Oh really? What do you do?
I usually watch funny videos to divert my attention from worries.
Root Explanation
Divert → It is formed from "di-" (meaning apart) and "vertere" (meaning to turn). The word "divert" means to turn something away or to change its direction.
Memory Tip
Think of turning something 'apart' ('di-') from its original path ('vertere') — that's why divert means to change its direction.
Visually Confused Words
redivert
invert
driver
advert
vert
predivert
discovert
dirt