divagation

Definition of divagationnext
1
as in tangent
a departure from the subject under consideration this may well appear to be a divagation at first, but I hope to establish the relevance

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
2
as in deviation
a turning away from a course or standard a self-consciously "literary" novel that represents a major divagation from traditional narrative

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for divagation
Noun
  • Its loose structure allows for a wealth of tangents, touching on everything from whether HBO shows have the right amount of nudity to the hosts’ personal lives.
    Daniel Strauss, Vanity Fair, 10 Aug. 2026
  • The realization inspired Shapiro’s team to go off on a tangent, mapping the flow of oxygen to coral tissues via cilia.
    Marlowe Starling, Quanta Magazine, 5 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • The trivial and the momentous can be connected; small deviations can set us on larger paths.
    Joshua Rothman, New Yorker, 21 Aug. 2026
  • Any deviation from that purpose is an indicator of compromise.
    Morey Haber, Forbes.com, 20 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • In 2023, Quality Control was acquired by Hybe America, led by Scooter Braun, before his departure as CEO in July 2025.
    Steven J. Horowitz, Variety, 21 Aug. 2026
  • Harry and Meghan’s departure reflected both the larger struggle Black Brits and Americans face and the no-contact rifts that increasingly divide many families.
    Culture Critic, Los Angeles Times, 21 Aug. 2026
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.

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Cite this Entry

“Divagation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/divagation. Accessed 24 Aug. 2026.

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