diverge

verb

di·​verge də-ˈvərj 

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

Synonyms

• detour
• deviate
• sheer
• swerve
• swing
• turn
• turn off
• veer
• wheel

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

All three ensembles diverged from the Vatican's traditional dress code, which prescribes a formal black suit, black tie, and a black lapel pin for male attendees at papal funerals. —Giulia Carbonaro, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Apr. 2025

The visa refusal rate for Russians diverges strongly among member states — from 1% to 65% in the first half of 2024, according to an EU report. —Elizabeth McBride, CNN Money, 23 Apr. 2025

Soon, however, these post-Soviet states’ trajectories began to diverge. —Alexander Cooley, Foreign Affairs, 16 Apr. 2025

Amid the diverging opinions of pundits on both sides of this issue, all parties can agree on one thing: President Trump is unpredictable and the economic future is uncertain. —Robert Ginsburg, Forbes.com, 15 Apr. 2025

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

Rhymes for diverge

• converge
• emerge
• submerge
• upsurge
• demiurge
• dirge
• merge
• purge
• scourge
• serge
• splurge
• spurge

Kids Definition

diverge

verb

di·​verge də-ˈvərj 

dī-

diverged; diverging

: to move or extend in different directions from a common point : draw apart

diverging rays of light

two roads diverged