Definition of divergencenext
1
as in divergency
a movement in different directions away from a common point a growing divergence of opinion about that U.S. president's place in history

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2
as in deviation
a turning away from a course or standard any divergence from the community's strict moral code was met with social ostracism

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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 divergence This divergence is thought to have occurred between 550,000 and 750,000 years ago. CBS News, 8 Jan. 2026 In 2026, that divergence will become impossible to ignore. Ian Bremmer, Time, 6 Jan. 2026 There’s no failure, really, only moments of divergence. Daisy Jones, Vogue, 23 Dec. 2025 But in recent years, the current has been behaving in anything but the usual way, and the Extension, in particular, made a major divergence along Japan’s coast. Chris Mooney, CNN Money, 17 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for divergence
Recent Examples of Synonyms for divergence
Noun
  • With each deviation, signals are repeated and the idea of a national immunization standard becomes increasingly incoherent.
    Richard Hughes IV, STAT, 12 Jan. 2026
  • The system draws on data from devices like the Galaxy Watch and Galaxy Ring to establish a personal baseline, then looks for subtle deviations linked to early dementia research.
    Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 8 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • Wrought Studio Lawandra Modern Upholstered Swivel Storage Chair To the naked eye, this may seem like a typical upholstered chair, but there’s one sneaky detail that makes a world of difference.
    Ali Faccenda, PEOPLE, 12 Jan. 2026
  • That’s for the college game, where the head coach is the star and the difference between the haves and have-nots is massive.
    Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 12 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • Werner will be a welcome addition to the Quakes’ attack after the departure of Josef Martinez to Tijuana.
    Mercury News, Mercury News, 14 Jan. 2026
  • The move marks a departure from past administrations, which have typically moved quickly to open Justice Department civil rights reviews of fatal encounters involving law enforcement, even when criminal charges were considered unlikely.
    Greg Wehner , Louis Casiano, FOXNews.com, 14 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • In another example of the cultural diversity found in his work, his Revolutionary War paintings make a point of including Black regiments when applicable.
    Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 7 Jan. 2026
  • Here’s my short list of the best diversity stories of the past year published in The Star.
    Mara Williams, Kansas City Star, 7 Jan. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Divergence.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/divergence. Accessed 15 Jan. 2026.

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