divergent

adjective

di·ver·gent | \ də-ˈvər-jənt

, dī- \

Definition of divergent

1a : 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

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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 But the two regions, often similar in their pandemic approach, are currently taking more divergent paths, with New York far outpacing the Bay Area in its reopening plans. — Kellie Hwang, San Francisco Chronicle, "New York is reopening faster than the Bay Area. How does its coronavirus curve compare?," 11 Feb. 2021 Nearly a year later, the sisters are bedeviled by the divergent paths their illnesses took. — Katherine J. Wu New York Times, Star Tribune, "Identical twins experiencing drastically different symptoms," 28 Jan. 2021 The vaccine makers themselves have taken divergent positions. — New York Times, "As Rollout Falters, Scientists Debate New Vaccination Tactics," 3 Jan. 2021 Those divergent responses would then work in harmony to deliver rock-solid immunity. — Sarah Elizabeth Richards, Science, "Should people take more than one type of COVID-19 vaccine?," 18 Dec. 2020 Tensions between Washington and Idaho over their divergent responses to the pandemic escalated in October. — David Armstrong, ProPublica, "States With Few Coronavirus Restrictions Are Spreading the Virus Beyond Their Borders," 1 Dec. 2020 In fictionalized ways, his novel addresses his parents' divergent responses as Pakistani immigrants to the United States, with his father lustily embracing the American dream while his mother yearned for her native land. — Jim Higgins, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "As new president of PEN America, Brookfield Central grad Ayad Akhtar will speak up for threatened writers," 6 Oct. 2020 Many believed the divergent and disappointing storyline was caused by HBO rushing a finale before Martin had finished writing the novel series. — Laura Furr Mericas, Chron, "A new 'Game of Thrones' prequel has a weird name but big hype," 23 Jan. 2021 An on-the-ground view of Wednesday’s protest shows the lack of cohesion, the divergent ideas of what constitutes free speech in Portland and the turbulence of the crowd. — oregonlive, "‘What are we marching for?’ Protesters and observers wonder alike in Portland," 22 Jan. 2021

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