When seeking alternatives to the phrase "divert attention from", several synonyms can be employed to convey a similar meaning. One option is "distract focus away from", which implies shifting someone's attention to another subject or situation. Additionally, "steer clear of" can be used to suggest avoiding a particular topic or issue, thus drawing attention away from it. Another synonym could be "sidetrack", conveying the idea of redirecting someone's attention towards a different matter. Another phrase resembling this meaning is "take someone's mind off", which implies providing a distraction or offering alternative stimuli to occupy one's thoughts, consequently diverting their attention.