divergence

noun

di·​ver·​gence də-ˈvər-jən(t)s 

dī-

1

a

: a drawing apart (as of lines extending from a common center)

b

: difference, disagreement

c

evolutionary biology : the development of dissimilar traits or features (as of body structure or behavior) in closely related populations, species, or lineages of common ancestry that typically occupy dissimilar environments or ecological niches : divergent evolution

2

: a deviation from a course or standard

3

: the condition of being mathematically divergent

Synonyms of divergence

• divergency
• difference
• diversity

Examples of divergence in a Sentence

a growing divergence of opinion about that U.S. president's place in history

any divergence from the community's strict moral code was met with social ostracism

Recent Examples on the Web

Among the key areas of divergence are the fate of Ukraine's eastern Donbas region, which Russia has partially occupied and from which Moscow is demanding a full Ukrainian military withdrawal. —David Brennan, ABC News, 5 Feb. 2026

Despite the waves of excitement and confidence, there were honest concerns about economic imbalance, productivity divergence and who ultimately benefits from this transformation. —Mark Minevich, Forbes.com, 30 Jan. 2026

For instance, this divergence can explain why airlines are racing to build out luxury offerings at the same time that fast-food companies are leaning on value meals. —Alex Harring, CNBC, 30 Jan. 2026

This can help explain the extreme divergence in the reception of AI agents. —IEEE Spectrum, 29 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from New Latin dīvergentia, noun derivative of Latin dīvergent-, dīvergens divergent

First Known Use

1656, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for divergence

• convergence
• emergence
• resurgence
• submergence
• postemergence
• preemergence
• reemergence
• vergence

Kids Definition

divergence

noun

di·​ver·​gence də-ˈvər-jən(t)s 

dī-

: the state of diverging : a drawing apart (as of lines extending from a common center)

Medical Definition

divergence

noun

di·​ver·​gence də-ˈvər-jən(t)s, dī- 

1

a

: a drawing apart

b

: the acquisition of dissimilar characters by related organisms under the influence of unlike environments

2

: dissemination of the effect of activity of a single nerve cell through multiple synaptic connections compare convergence sense 4

diverge

-ˈvərj 

verb

diverged; diverging

divergent

-ˈvər-jənt 

adjective