divergent

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adjective di·ver·gent \-jənt\

Definition of divergent

1a : moving or extending in different directions from a common point : diverging from each other divergent pathsb : differing from each other or from a standard the divergent interests of capital and labor
2 mathematics : relating to or being an infinite (see ¹infinite 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 ²ray 1b) to draw apart from a common center : causing divergence of rays a divergent lens

divergently

adverb

See divergent defined for kids

Recent Examples of divergent from the Web

Divergent body types and skill-sets have prevented direct comparisons between Durant and James, but for any great player, Durant included and maybe especially, James has set the bar for achievement.

— adam kilgore, chicagotribune.com, "Kevin Durant has been losing to LeBron James his entire career. That might be about to change.", 2 June 2017
My door is open to all who wish to discuss the way forward, even those who might hold divergent perspectives.

— edith m. lederer, The Seattle Times, "U.N. chief urges action on climate change as Trump debates", 31 May 2017
David Rosenberg, chief economist and strategist at Gluskin Sheff + Associates Inc., examines divergent policy for the Federal Reserve and European Central Bank.

— Bloomberg.com, "Rosenberg Sees Fed, ECB Policy Cycles 'Polar Apart'", 29 May 2017
Their one record together, 1977's Two the Hard Way, was disparaged by critics and their divergent fan bases and was a particularly tough sell given Cher's professional reunion with Bono for a new CBS show at the time.

— deborah wilker, Billboard, "Gregg Allman, Soulful Trailblazer of Southern Rock, Dies at 69", 27 May 2017
Their hormonal precursors---the ITP/CHH's---had more divergent origins, popping up around 410 million years ago in spiders and 250 million years ago in centipedes.

— nick stockton, Wired News, "The Secret History of Spider Venom's Paralytic Power", 11 June 2015
Rondo of Blood is a straightforward CV adventure with no backtracking and few divergent paths.

— chris kohler, WIRED, "Hands-On: Castlevania The Dracula X Chronicles", 2 Feb. 2007

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.

Origin and Etymology of divergent

Latin divergent-, divergens, present participle of divergere

First Known Use: 1696

Synonym Discussion of 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