What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
decoyed
Example
The hunter decoyed the ducks into his trap. [decoyed: verb]
Example
The spy used a decoy to distract the guards and sneak into the building. [decoy: noun]
divert
Example
The construction workers diverted the river to make way for the new bridge. [diverted: verb]
Example
The comedian's jokes helped divert the audience's attention from their problems. [divert: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Divert is more commonly used than decoyed in everyday language. Divert is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while decoyed is less common and often used in specific situations such as hunting or espionage.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between decoyed and divert?
Both decoyed and divert are neutral in terms of formality and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.