To distract or divert someone's attention or feelings; to relieve boredom or sorrow by shifting focus (transitive).
悲しみを紛らすために旅行に出かけた。
I went on a trip to distract myself from my sadness.
退屈を紛らすために本を読んだ。
I read a book to pass the time and relieve boredom.
彼は痛みを紛らすために深呼吸をした。
He took deep breaths to distract himself from the pain.
To conceal (an emotion or fact) or to change/shift the subject in conversation; to beguile or hide something by diversion.
彼女は真実を尋ねられると、話題を紛らすようにジョークを言った。
When asked the truth, she told a joke to shift the subject.
笑顔で悲しみを紛らすのは難しいことだ。
It's hard to hide sorrow behind a smile.