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Divert vs Subvert - What's the difference?

divert | subvert |

In transitive terms the difference between divert and subvert

is that divert is to entertain or amuse (by diverting the attention while subvert is to upturn convention from the foundation by undermining it (literally, to turn from beneath).

As a noun subvert is

an advertisement created by subvertising.

divert

English

Verb

(en verb)
  • To turn aside from a course.
  • The workers diverted the stream away from the road.
  • * Milton
  • that crude apple that diverted Eve
  • To distract.
  • Don't let him divert your attention; keep your eye on the ball.
  • To entertain or amuse (by diverting the attention)
  • * C. J. Smith
  • We are amused by a tale, diverted by a comedy.
  • (obsolete) To turn aside; to digress.
  • I diverted to see one of the prince's palaces. — Evelyn.

    Synonyms

    * (to lead away from a course) offlead

    subvert

    English

    Etymology 1

    From (etyl) subverten, from (etyl) subvertir, from (etyl) .

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • To overturn from the foundation; to overthrow; to ruin utterly.
  • * Shakespeare
  • He razeth your cities, and subverts your towns.
  • * John Locke
  • This would subvert the principles of all knowledge.
  • To pervert, as the mind, and turn it from the truth; to corrupt; to confound.
  • A dictator stays in power only as long as he manages to subvert the will of his people.
  • To upturn convention from the foundation by undermining it (literally, to turn from beneath).
  • Derived terms
    * subversion * subversive

    Etymology 2

    , by analogy with advert.

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • An advertisement created by subvertising.
  • Synonyms
    * subvertisement