neurodivergent
adjective
neu·ro·di·ver·gent
ˌnu̇r-ō-də-ˈvər-jənt 
ˌnyu̇r-
: having or relating to a disorder or condition (such as autism spectrum disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, dyslexia, or obsessive-compulsive disorder) that impacts the way the brain processes information : exhibiting or characteristic of variations in typical neurological development
Traveling can be stressful even under the best of circumstances. For neurodivergent travelers, schedule changes, new sights and sounds, airport delays, and unfamiliar foods can pose additional challenges.—
Jamie Davis Smith
Jamie Davis SmithIt's also crucial when working with neurodivergent professionals to view management as an avenue for coaching. Too often, companies fire neurodivergent youth for not performing in the same way as neurotypical employees. Businesses must provide frequent, comprehensive reviews to better communicate what they need from an employee and to allow the employee to better understand how they can improve within their role.—Brandon Cardet-Hernandez and Kevin McGrath
compare neurotypical
Brandon Cardet-Hernandez and Kevin McGrath
neurodivergent
noun
plural neurodivergents
Some neurodivergents have difficulty interpreting nonverbal cues during interactions, such as subtle cues in sarcasm or flirtation …
—Maria Febiana Christanti et al.
Maria Febiana Christanti et al.
Examples of neurodivergent in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
One-fifth of sales organizations within Fortune 500 companies are expected to actively recruit neurodivergent talent to improve business performance by 2027, according to a Gartner study.
—Preston Fore, Fortune, 24 Mar. 2026
Her office, Oakdale Kids Dentist & Orthodontics, offers pediatric dentistry along with a wide range of other services, with an emphasis on individualized care designed to help lessen fear and support each child’s needs, particularly neurodivergent children.
—Ethan M. Stone, USA Today, 24 Mar. 2026
Briana Pozner Vigilantes – Shaken by the injustice of his mother’s death, 15-year-old Mikey joins a covert group of neurodivergent outsiders, donning shoddy superhero personas, in their mission to overthrow their local police department.
—Katie Campione, Deadline, 2 Mar. 2026
But frequently, Black women doing DEI work take a broader view, focusing on ways organizations can appeal to and reflect the needs of a wide swath of workers—those who are neurodivergent, disabled, veterans, and so forth.
—Adia Harvey Wingfield, Forbes.com, 27 Feb. 2026
And yet, for a decade now, CTC leadership has worked with Twin Cities mental health nonprofit Fraser to create special, sensory-friendly performances for kids on the autism spectrum and other neurodivergent people.
—Ross Raihala, Twin Cities, 22 Feb. 2026
On our first trip, the groundskeepers at the family-friendly Caribe Hilton kindly looked the other way when my neurodivergent child climbed over a barricade to get a closer look at a snapping turtle.
—Melissa Petro, Travel + Leisure, 19 Feb. 2026
The impact is even more powerful for families of neurodivergent children.
—Lauren Brown West-Rosenthal, Parents, 11 Feb. 2026
In addition to smaller class sizes, the school offers college-level courses through a dual-enrollment program with Foothill College and provides specialized support for students with disabilities and neurodivergent students.
—Ryan MacAsero, Mercury News, 7 Feb. 2026
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Preston Fore, Fortune, 24 Mar. 2026
Her office, Oakdale Kids Dentist & Orthodontics, offers pediatric dentistry along with a wide range of other services, with an emphasis on individualized care designed to help lessen fear and support each child’s needs, particularly neurodivergent children.
—Ethan M. Stone, USA Today, 24 Mar. 2026
Briana Pozner Vigilantes – Shaken by the injustice of his mother’s death, 15-year-old Mikey joins a covert group of neurodivergent outsiders, donning shoddy superhero personas, in their mission to overthrow their local police department.
—Katie Campione, Deadline, 2 Mar. 2026
But frequently, Black women doing DEI work take a broader view, focusing on ways organizations can appeal to and reflect the needs of a wide swath of workers—those who are neurodivergent, disabled, veterans, and so forth.
—Adia Harvey Wingfield, Forbes.com, 27 Feb. 2026
And yet, for a decade now, CTC leadership has worked with Twin Cities mental health nonprofit Fraser to create special, sensory-friendly performances for kids on the autism spectrum and other neurodivergent people.
—Ross Raihala, Twin Cities, 22 Feb. 2026
On our first trip, the groundskeepers at the family-friendly Caribe Hilton kindly looked the other way when my neurodivergent child climbed over a barricade to get a closer look at a snapping turtle.
—Melissa Petro, Travel + Leisure, 19 Feb. 2026
The impact is even more powerful for families of neurodivergent children.
—Lauren Brown West-Rosenthal, Parents, 11 Feb. 2026
In addition to smaller class sizes, the school offers college-level courses through a dual-enrollment program with Foothill College and provides specialized support for students with disabilities and neurodivergent students.
—Ryan MacAsero, Mercury News, 7 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Neurodivergent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/neurodivergent. Accessed 20 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
neurodivergent
adjective
neu·ro·di·ver·gent
-də-ˈvər-jənt, -dī-
: having or relating to a disorder or condition (such as autism spectrum disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, dyslexia, or obsessive-compulsive disorder) that impacts the way the brain processes information : exhibiting or characteristic of variations in typical neurological development
Neurodivergent individuals often have particular communication needs and preferences, heightened sensory sensitivity, and challenges with executive functioning. … These aspects of neurodivergent experience fundamentally impact the way neurodivergent individuals communicate and interact with others and perform professional work.—Maitraye Das et al., Proceedings of the ACM on Human-Computer Interactions
compare neurotypical
Maitraye Das et al., Proceedings of the ACM on Human-Computer Interactions
neurodivergent
noun
Some neurodivergents have difficulty interpreting nonverbal cues during interactions, such as subtle cues in sarcasm or flirtation. … While text-based communication can provide inclusive space, it can be overwhelming for neurodivergents due to the lack of nonverbal cues …
—Maria Febiana Christanti et al., International Journal of Social Science Research & Review
Maria Febiana Christanti et al., International Journal of Social Science Research & Review
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