1
as in to deviate
to change one's course or direction the deer abruptly diverged from its intended path the moment it spied the waiting lynx

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
2
as in to separate
to go or move in different directions from a central point at that point the road and the railroad tracks diverge

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb diverge contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of diverge are depart, deviate, digress, swerve, and veer. While all these words mean "to turn aside from a straight course," diverge may equal depart but usually suggests a branching of a main path into two or more leading in different directions.

after school their paths diverged

When is depart a more appropriate choice than diverge?

The words depart and diverge are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, depart suggests a deviation from a traditional or conventional course or type.

occasionally departs from his own guidelines

In what contexts can deviate take the place of diverge?

Although the words deviate and diverge have much in common, deviate implies a turning from a customary or prescribed course.

never deviated from her daily routine

When can digress be used instead of diverge?

In some situations, the words digress and diverge are roughly equivalent. However, digress applies to a departing from the subject of one's discourse.

a professor prone to digress

Where would swerve be a reasonable alternative to diverge?

The words swerve and diverge can be used in similar contexts, but swerve may suggest a physical, mental, or moral turning away from a given course, often with abruptness.

swerved to avoid hitting the dog

When could veer be used to replace diverge?

The synonyms veer and diverge are sometimes interchangeable, but veer implies a major change in direction.

at that point the path veers to the right

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of diverge Trembley let him in the house, and from there, the facts of the case diverged. City News Service, Oc Register, 25 June 2025 Both prohibit yield-bearing consumer stablecoins, but diverge on who regulates what. Mackenzie Sigalos, CNBC, 18 June 2025 Anyone saying otherwise is demonstrating how widely the political map has diverged from the territory New Yorkers actually live in, with millions tuning out the city’s politics in the process. Harry Siegel, New York Daily News, 14 June 2025 The finale episode, written by Lockhart herself, diverged from the book ending, but with good reason. Elizabeth Logan, Glamour, 25 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for diverge
Recent Examples of Synonyms for diverge
Verb
  • The fatal flight’s initial trajectory in the air is also somewhat typical and does not deviate significantly from the previous seven Air India Flight 171 departures from Ahmedabad, according to historical flight data.
    Mika Gröndahl, New York Times, 28 June 2025
  • The image had shown a dessert dramatically deviating from the typical McDonald's serving, yet presented without explanation—leaving much to speculation.
    Melissa Fleur Afshar, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 June 2025
Verb
  • In a game where the Angels and Nationals combined for 24 runs and 30 hits — with the 19 hits and 15 runs given up by the Angels’ pitching staff representing season-worst marks — what ultimately separated the teams was the Angels’ inability to come through with runners on base.
    Benjamin Royer, Los Angeles Times, 28 June 2025
  • According to the London Times’ Philip Willan, a trade union that represents museum workers had previously warned the Uffizi about the risks posed by the platforms separating visitors from the art.
    Aurora Martínez, Smithsonian Magazine, 27 June 2025
Verb
  • The downside is that each method has a potential reaction from the AGI or ASI that could turn things ugly.
    Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 2 July 2025
  • In the multicam comedy, per the logline, Leanne’s (Morgan) world is turned upside down when her husband of 33 years unexpectedly leaves her for another woman.
    Denise Petski, Deadline, 1 July 2025
Verb
  • As the clock struck five on Saturday evening, the clouds over Lake Montauk parted and the sun beamed down—just in time for Loro Piana’s chic cocktail gathering at the Crow’s Nest.
    Lilah Ramzi, Vogue, 30 June 2025
  • To compliment the blue cotton candy tones of the ensemble, Rihanna wore her hair in a sweet half-up do, leaving out face-framing sections that were parted down the middle and swept towards her ears.
    Emily Tannenbaum, Glamour, 29 June 2025
Verb
  • The brand’s production is divided between Paris and Istanbul, the latter being a city with family ties for India.
    Andrea Onate, Footwear News, 30 June 2025
  • The Oval Office’s ‘One, Big, Beautiful Bill’ has divided opinion, after estimates from the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) found the policies would cost the poorest Americans roughly $1,600 a year while increasing the income of the wealthiest households by an average of $12,000 annually.
    Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 29 June 2025
Verb
  • With the draft beginning this coming Sunday and the trade deadline at the end of the month, A.J. Preller’s closest lieutenants are in San Diego rather than spread around the country looking at big-league and amateur players.
    Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 July 2025
  • Flemmings said neuroblastoma is a condition in which tumors spread to many other parts of the body.
    Pamela McLoughlin, Hartford Courant, 7 July 2025
Verb
  • Knowing where your food comes from is a privilege worth paying for if one can, and tracking its journey, from field to fork, is a profitable business.
    Shain Shapiro, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
  • At Bellagio Las Vegas, for instance, guests must fork over a $25 surcharge to receive room service orders with the traditional presentation of ceramic plating and metal silverware.
    Matt Villano, CNN Money, 25 June 2025
Verb
  • Many analysts believe Iran will retreat, reassemble its nuclear scientists and rebuild its program.
    Kristina Karisch, The Hill, 24 June 2025
  • Groups of demonstrators retreated to nearby streets, only to cut back and regroup near the Stonewall Inn and Christopher Park.
    Liz Tracey, JSTOR Daily, 24 June 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Diverge.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/diverge. Accessed 12 Jul. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on diverge

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!