sidetracking

verb

present participle of sidetrack
as in deviating

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Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for sidetracking
  1. deviating
  2. averting
  3. deflecting
  4. diverting
  5. shifting
  6. redirecting
  7. switching
  8. veering
Verb
  • Practicing deviating from our defaults, no matter how mundane, prepares us to deviate again, even in higher stakes contexts.
    — Nell Derick Debevoise Dewey, Forbes.com, 28 July 2026
  • The highly disguised initial view of the model undergoing final testing showed the luxury marque deviating away from its traditional upright boxy off-road SUVs into a new territory.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 27 July 2026
Definition of deviating
Verb
  • The lack of a clear outcome meant both sides could claim success, averting escalation.
    — Erik Lin-Greenberg, Foreign Affairs, 31 July 2026
  • America’s greatest rival is single-handedly averting a global energy crisis.
    — Rogé Karma, The Atlantic, 29 July 2026
Definition of averting
Verb
  • This gap, if unaddressed, sabotages growth by deflecting feedback, creating imbalanced traits, and causing behavioral drift under pressure, negatively impacting teams.
    — Mary Crossan, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026
  • Hitler escaped the full force of the blast when someone moved the briefcase next to a table leg, deflecting much of the explosive force.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 21 July 2026
Definition of deflecting
Verb
  • By still spending so much on conventional manned equipment, the United States and many other countries are diverting funds from more efficient systems.
    — Phillips Payson O’Brien, The Atlantic, 18 July 2026
  • Abu Dhabi and Riyadh have ramped exports through those pipelines, diverting millions of barrels per day around Hormuz.
    — Spencer Kimball, CNBC, 16 July 2026
Definition of diverting
Verb
  • Plants and animals keenly sense the diminishing light, which acts as a master biological clock that triggers changes such as migration, shifting hormone levels and winter coat growth.
    — Charles Seabrook, AJC.com, 1 Aug. 2026
  • The competitive edge is shifting from raw model intelligence to efficient operations, specialized data, and infrastructure control.
    — Gerui Wang, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of shifting
Verb
  • Meta cut about 10% of its workforce this year while simultaneously redirecting investment towards its AI infrastructure budget and incentives for its top shareholders.
    — Rachel Wells, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026
  • The deals involve redirecting funds toward fossil fuels and other conventional energy projects.
    — Cameron Pugh, Christian Science Monitor, 29 July 2026
Definition of redirecting
Verb
  • And while there’s fun to be had with the premise of the three characters constantly and accidentally switching places — most often in the middle of a space fight) — the meandering script unfortunately tries to do too much.
    — EW Staff, Entertainment Weekly, 3 Aug. 2026
  • Training camp for the Kansas City Chiefs began on July 29, and even with the program only days in, the 36-year-old tight end felt like switching up his appearance with changes to his facial hair.
    — Michelle Lee, PEOPLE, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of switching
Verb
  • Aiyuk began veering away from the team’s rehabilitation protocol soon after the surgery, failing to communicate with the team — a recurrent theme between Aiyuk and the 49ers — and preferring to rehabilitate on his own.
    — Matt Barrows, New York Times, 27 July 2026
  • No matter the role, Zendaya has turned method dressing into an art form, consistently finding ways to nod to a character without veering into costume territory.
    — Amanda Le, InStyle, 23 July 2026
Definition of veering
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Cite this Entry

“Sidetracking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sidetracking. Accessed 5 Aug. 2026.

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