divergent

adjective

di·​ver·​gent də-ˈvər-jənt How to pronounce divergent (audio)
dī-
1
a
: 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
divergently adverb
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Start Experimenting Women naturally excel at divergent thinking and generating multiple solutions. Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 9 July 2025 Meanwhile, South Korea stands out as Asia’s best performer amid the region’s divergent performances, while Thailand, Turkey, Indonesia and Saudi Arabia languish at the bottom of the global rankings. Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 8 July 2025 The divergent results in Lacaux’s and Schuck’s experiments were puzzling, so the team looked at the EEG readouts, searching for features in the data that could predict eureka moments better than sleep phases alone. ArsTechnica, 6 July 2025 In one prior study, for example, participants performed better on divergent thinking tests after squeezing a ball with their left hand, potentially stimulating creativity-supportive brain regions. Melissa Fleur Afshar, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for divergent

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Latin dīvergent-, dīvergens, present participle of dīvergere "to proceed in different directions, diverge"

First Known Use

1696, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of divergent was in 1696

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Divergent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/divergent. Accessed 15 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

divergent

adjective
di·​ver·​gent də-ˈvər-jənt How to pronounce divergent (audio)
dī-
: diverging from each other
divergently adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on divergent

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