To change direction or course:
* Deflect: To turn aside from a course or direction.
* Redirect: To cause to change direction.
* Re-route: To change the route or course of something.
* Detour: To take a different route or path.
* Swerve: To change direction suddenly.
To distract or entertain:
* Amuse: To entertain or make someone laugh.
* Distract: To draw attention away from something.
* Engage: To capture someone's attention and interest.
* Entertain: To provide amusement or enjoyment.
* Divert: To turn someone's attention away from something else.
To change the use or purpose of something:
* Appropriate: To take something for a different use.
* Reallocate: To assign to a different purpose.
* Redesign: To change the design or function of something.
* Reconfigure: To rearrange or restructure something.
Other synonyms:
* Avert: To prevent or ward off.
* Sidetrack: To delay or hinder.
* Displace: To move something from its usual position.
* Transfer: To move something from one place to another.
The best synonym to use will depend on the specific context of the sentence.