diverge

verb

di·​verge də-ˈvərj How to pronounce diverge (audio)
dī-
diverged; diverging

intransitive verb

1
a
: to move or extend in different directions from a common point : draw apart
diverging roads
b
: to become or be different in character or form
The friends' lives diverged after graduation.
: differ in opinion
This is where our views diverge.
2
: to turn aside from a path or course : deviate
diverge from a direct path
3
mathematics : to be divergent (see divergent sense 2)

transitive verb

: deflect
diverge a compass needle
Choose the Right Synonym for diverge

swerve, veer, deviate, depart, digress, diverge mean to turn aside from a straight course.

swerve may suggest a physical, mental, or moral turning away from a given course, often with abruptness.

swerved to avoid hitting the dog

veer implies a major change in direction.

at that point the path veers to the right

deviate implies a turning from a customary or prescribed course.

never deviated from her daily routine

depart suggests a deviation from a traditional or conventional course or type.

occasionally departs from his own guidelines

digress applies to a departing from the subject of one's discourse.

a professor prone to digress

diverge may equal depart but usually suggests a branching of a main path into two or more leading in different directions.

after school their paths diverged

Examples of diverge in a Sentence

A prism causes rays of light to diverge. They were close friends in college, but after graduation, their lives diverged.
Recent Examples on the Web Loriod’s choice to record pieces like Schoenberg’s Op. 29 Suite shows how her taste diverged from her husband’s. Joshua Barone, New York Times, 13 Mar. 2024 The pair agreed on most looks but diverged on Oppenheimer actress Emily Blunt’s Schiaparelli look. Nicole Fell, The Hollywood Reporter, 13 Mar. 2024 Garments independently purpose-built for each of these users would probably diverge mightily from each other; a 21-year-old elite athlete has different physical needs than a middle-aged insurance adjuster at a sports bar. Amanda Mull, The Atlantic, 20 Feb. 2024 Few policymakers envy the Bank of Japan governor’s challenge as the nation’s stock market and economy diverge spectacularly. William Pesek, Forbes, 29 Feb. 2024 Their common origin stories — riverfront military garrisons that grew into bicultural communities — have diverged in ways that reflect the dynamics of this contested and polemical region. Arelis R. Hernández, Washington Post, 29 Feb. 2024 CDOs and CLOs often offer differing takes on their company’s diversity efforts, highlighting how their perspectives and goals for DEI have diverged in this new political landscape. Ruth Umoh, Fortune, 28 Feb. 2024 According to Fry, the northern and southern green anacondas' diverged nearly 10 million years ago and differ genetically by 5.5%. Charlotte Phillipp, Peoplemag, 26 Feb. 2024 The reason billiards is so difficult to analyze mathematically is that two nearly identical shots landing on either side of a corner can have wildly diverging trajectories. Quanta Magazine, 15 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'diverge.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Latin dīvergere "to proceed in different directions," from dī-, variant before voiced sounds of dis- dis- + vergere "to move downward, slope downward, sink" — more at verge entry 3

Note: The verb dīvergere, attested once in classical Latin, is rare before later medieval and modern Latin, where it appears in scientific and mathematical texts, often as an antonym of convergere "to converge."

First Known Use

1665, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of diverge was in 1665

Dictionary Entries Near diverge

Cite this Entry

“Diverge.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/diverge. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

diverge

verb
di·​verge də-ˈvərj How to pronounce diverge (audio)
dī-
diverged; diverging
: to move or extend in different directions from a common point : draw apart
diverging rays of light
two roads diverged

More from Merriam-Webster on diverge

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!