divert
di|vert /daɪv'ɜːrt, AM dɪ-/ (diverts diverting diverted)
1 [VERB] V n from/to n, V n, V from/to n
To divert vehicles or travellers means to make them follow a different route or go to a different destination than they originally intended. You can also say that someone or something diverts from a particular route or to a particular place. (BRIT; in AM, use detour)
...Rainham Marshes, east London, where a new bypass will divert traffic from the A13...
We diverted a plane to rescue 100 passengers...
She insists on diverting to a village close to the airport...
2 [VERB] V n prep/adv, also V n
To divert money or resources means to cause them to be used for a different purpose.
The government is trying to divert more public funds from west to east.
3 [VERB] V n prep/adv, also V n
To divert a phone call means to send it to a different number or place from the one that was dialled by the person making the call.
He instructed switchboard staff to divert all Laura's calls to him.
4 [VERB] V n prep/adv
If you say that someone diverts your attention from something important or serious, you disapprove of them behaving or talking in a way that stops you thinking about it.
They want to divert the attention of the people from the real issues.
= distract
1 [VERB] V n from/to n, V n, V from/to n
To divert vehicles or travellers means to make them follow a different route or go to a different destination than they originally intended. You can also say that someone or something diverts from a particular route or to a particular place. (BRIT; in AM, use detour)
...Rainham Marshes, east London, where a new bypass will divert traffic from the A13...
We diverted a plane to rescue 100 passengers...
She insists on diverting to a village close to the airport...
2 [VERB] V n prep/adv, also V n
To divert money or resources means to cause them to be used for a different purpose.
The government is trying to divert more public funds from west to east.
3 [VERB] V n prep/adv, also V n
To divert a phone call means to send it to a different number or place from the one that was dialled by the person making the call.
He instructed switchboard staff to divert all Laura's calls to him.
4 [VERB] V n prep/adv
If you say that someone diverts your attention from something important or serious, you disapprove of them behaving or talking in a way that stops you thinking about it.
They want to divert the attention of the people from the real issues.
= distract