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 Shanghai, Shenzhen, and the STAR Board diverged to close +0.54%, +0.86%, and -1.45%, respectively, on volume that decreased -12% from yesterday. Brendan Ahern, Forbes, 22 Oct. 2024 The seven-and-a-half-hour film drew audiences to Theatre Cocoon and captivated them with its unique style that diverged from traditional film narrative. Liz Shackleton, Deadline, 21 Oct. 2024 Where the pattern diverged from previous years was what came next, with American-style IPAs with 217 entries, Dortmunder or German-style Oktoberfest (210) and German-style Maerzen (195). Jay R. Brooks, The Mercury News, 18 Oct. 2024 The pan-European Stoxx 600 index lost 0.8% as sectors diverged in performance. Yeo Boon Ping, CNBC, 16 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for diverge 

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 31 Oct. 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

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