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

The research found the new species had at least 23% genetic divergence from other related geckos — a gap that confirmed its separation from the rest of the family tree. —Ryan Brennan, Kansas City Star, 20 Feb. 2026

For those familiar with genus-level molecular work in squamates, 23% divergence is the kind of number that makes a species description relatively unambiguous. —Ryan Brennan, Charlotte Observer, 20 Feb. 2026

The divergence of the crypto market from broader economic gains has led many to proclaim that the industry has entered a new Crypto Winter—even though Bitcoin had notched all-time highs just four months ago. —Ben Weiss, Fortune, 20 Feb. 2026

That isolation helps explain both the deep genetic divergence and the fact that the gecko went unnoticed for so long. —Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 20 Feb. 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