divergent

adjective

di·​ver·​gent də-ˈvər-jənt 

dī-

1

a

: moving or extending in different directions from a common point : diverging from each other

divergent paths

see also divergent evolution

b

: differing from each other or from a standard

the divergent interests of capital and labor

2

mathematics : relating to or being an infinite (see infinite entry 1 sense 4c) sequence that does not have a limit or an infinite series whose partial sums do not have a limit

3

physics : causing rays (see ray entry 2 sense 1b) to draw apart from a common center : causing divergence of rays

a divergent lens

divergently adverb

Choose the Right Synonym for divergent

different, diverse, divergent, disparate, various mean unlike in kind or character.

different may imply little more than separateness but it may also imply contrast or contrariness.

different foods

diverse implies both distinctness and marked contrast.

such diverse interests as dancing and football

divergent implies movement away from each other and unlikelihood of ultimate meeting or reconciliation.

went on to pursue divergent careers

disparate emphasizes incongruity or incompatibility.

disparate notions of freedom

various stresses the number of sorts or kinds.

tried various methods

Examples of divergent in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Signatories to the letter, first reported by CNBC, include James Murdoch, founder and CEO of investment firm Lupa Systems and former CEO of 21st Century Fox — whose political leanings are sharply divergent from those of his father, conservative media mogul Rupert Murdoch. —Todd Spangler, Variety, 6 Sep. 2024

That’s a reflection of their divergent campaign styles, with Trump frequently engaging with reporters — albeit often in friendly settings — while Harris has done one interview and no formal news conferences since taking President Biden’s place atop the Democratic ticket. —Jill Colvin, Los Angeles Times, 6 Sep. 2024

Extracting money via tax is why the U.K.’s FTSE and the U.S.’s Dow are so divergent. —Clem Chambers, Forbes, 5 Sep. 2024

Such violence, combined with dire humanitarian conditions, have led to a security vacuum in the camp that has been filled by various Rohingya armed groups, operating with divergent goals and methods but creating something of a turf clash embroiling the refugees living there. —Nasir Uddin, The Conversation, 3 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Latin dīvergent-, dīvergens, present participle of dīvergere "to proceed in different directions, diverge"

First Known Use

1696, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing divergent

• divergent evolution

Kids Definition

divergent

adjective

di·​ver·​gent də-ˈvər-jənt 

dī-

: diverging from each other

divergently adverb