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diverge

verb di·verge \ də-ˈvərj , dī- \
|Updated on: 14 Jul 2018

Definition of diverge

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 2)
transitive verb
: deflect
  • diverge a compass needle

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See diverge defined for kids

Examples of diverge in a Sentence

  1. A prism causes rays of light to diverge.

  2. They were close friends in college, but after graduation, their lives diverged.

Recent Examples of diverge from the Web

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'diverge.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of diverge

Medieval Latin divergere, from Latin dis- + vergere to incline — more at wrench

diverge Synonyms

Synonyms

branch (out), divide, fork, part, separate, spread;

Antonyms

converge, join;

Near Antonyms

assemble, gather, meet;

Related Words

bestrew, break up, broadcast, clear out, disband, dispel, disperse, dissipate, distribute, scatter, sow;

distance, recede, retreat;

Synonym Discussion of 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

DIVERGE Defined for English Language Learners

diverge

verb

Definition of diverge for English Language Learners

  • : to split and move out in different directions from a single point

  • : to be or become different

Learn More about diverge

  1. See words that rhyme with diverge Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for diverge Spanish Central: Translation of diverge Nglish: Translation of diverge for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of diverge for Arabic speakers

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