1
as in deviated
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
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2
as in separated
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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of diverged
As my kids became adolescents, our tastes diverged, yet music remained a bond that crossed our generational divide.
—
Allison Tibaldi, USA Today, 10 Mar. 2026
The Conversation’s politics editor Naomi Schalit interviewed former ambassador Donald Heflin, a veteran diplomat who now teaches at Tufts University’s Fletcher School, to understand how such situations are normally handled – and how the current situation diverged from longstanding practices.
—Donald Heflin, The Conversation, 5 Mar. 2026
The two rivals’ trajectories eventually diverged.
—Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 2 Mar. 2026
Stitt has publicly diverged from the president multiple times this year.
—Brittney Melton, NPR, 26 Feb. 2026
This is where our storylines diverged.
—Annabelle Gurwitch, HollywoodReporter, 24 Feb. 2026
Different legal paths Although the four men were swept into the same investigation, their legal histories diverged — a distinction that will likely shape any effort to obtain restitution.
—Tony Plohetski, Austin American Statesman, 23 Feb. 2026
But Held diverged from his academic background in conservation biology after speaking with a fellow prolific swimmer who found a post-pool career at Goldman Sachs.
—Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 22 Feb. 2026
Testing revealed that the species diverged as a separate species approximately 780,000 years ago, a time when most of the Southern Ocean was covered in glaciers.
—Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 19 Feb. 2026
Allison Tibaldi, USA Today, 10 Mar. 2026
The Conversation’s politics editor Naomi Schalit interviewed former ambassador Donald Heflin, a veteran diplomat who now teaches at Tufts University’s Fletcher School, to understand how such situations are normally handled – and how the current situation diverged from longstanding practices.
—Donald Heflin, The Conversation, 5 Mar. 2026
The two rivals’ trajectories eventually diverged.
—Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 2 Mar. 2026
Stitt has publicly diverged from the president multiple times this year.
—Brittney Melton, NPR, 26 Feb. 2026
This is where our storylines diverged.
—Annabelle Gurwitch, HollywoodReporter, 24 Feb. 2026
Different legal paths Although the four men were swept into the same investigation, their legal histories diverged — a distinction that will likely shape any effort to obtain restitution.
—Tony Plohetski, Austin American Statesman, 23 Feb. 2026
But Held diverged from his academic background in conservation biology after speaking with a fellow prolific swimmer who found a post-pool career at Goldman Sachs.
—Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 22 Feb. 2026
Testing revealed that the species diverged as a separate species approximately 780,000 years ago, a time when most of the Southern Ocean was covered in glaciers.
—Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 19 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for diverged
Verb
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But during the first week of the Iran war, Hegseth’s press briefings deviated from the measured tone expected from high-ranking military officials.—
Casey Ryan Kelly,
The Conversation,
9 Mar. 2026
-
The nearly 16 ½-hour flight that Mikhaell, Patel, and others were on from Dubai to Chicago deviated from its normal route to avoid the ongoing war.—
Charlie De Mar,
CBS News,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Dorothy and Marino have moved out, Scarpetta is separated from Benton and Lucy is on the outs with her aunt.—
Emily Zemler,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Mar. 2026
-
In a season where the top tier has separated itself from everyone else, Michigan has unfailingly remained consistent, never dipping lower than seventh in the nation (its preseason ranking).—
Dana O’Neil,
CNN Money,
11 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
What looked like a Plum showcase during the first half gradually turned into a Mist surge as Stewart began asserting herself on both ends of the floor.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
9 Mar. 2026
-
Besides Heldens and Carpenter, also attached is former Disney Channels Worldwide president/Disney Branded Television president and chief creative officer Gary Marsh, who departed that post in 2021 and turned his attention to producing.—
Michael Schneider,
Variety,
9 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Her choppy layered hair, meanwhile, was worn straight and parted down the center.—
Meg Walters,
InStyle,
4 Mar. 2026
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Her hair was parted in the middle and pulled untidily into a bun at the back.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Malkin turned around and swung his stick at Dahlin, hitting him in the neck and side of the head.—
Matthew Fairburn,
New York Times,
6 Mar. 2026
-
Roman Anthony had a monster of a homer the other night for Team USA in a World Baseball Classic tune-up, and Ceddanne Rafaela swung the bat well, too, though obviously with him consistency will be key.—
Mac Cerullo,
Boston Herald,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The list is divided into categories, with a number of members falling under each one.—
Lauryn Overhultz,
FOXNews.com,
7 Mar. 2026
-
Before this recent reunion, the band was only together for three years, from 1994 to 1997, and that’s with a couple of major lineup changes that divided its fan base.—
Christopher Arnott,
Hartford Courant,
7 Mar. 2026
Verb
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So much so that the Dallas Mavericks’ rising star forked over $7,000 at a memorabilia establishment for some Knueppel trading cards.—
Roderick Boone,
Charlotte Observer,
23 Feb. 2026
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Travelers forked over an average domestic airfare of about $475 in early 2025, the report said.—
Kelly McGreal,
FOXNews.com,
15 Feb. 2026
Verb
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On her island home in the South Pacific archipelago of Vanuatu, the shoreline has visibly retreated within her short lifetime, with beaches eroded, coastal trees uprooted and some homes now barely 3 feet from the sea at high tide.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
5 Mar. 2026
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The real horror in Frankenstein was a brilliant man who unleashed power and retreated from accountability.—
Tom Debley,
Mercury News,
5 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Diverged.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/diverged. Accessed 13 Mar. 2026.
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