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 The Fed researchers interpreted the divergence as employees working faster and more productively on an individual level, but the workforce as a whole hasn’t necessarily become more efficient. Tristan Bove, Fortune, 27 May 2026 The divergence in their views was clearest — and most damaging — on the IMF’s recommendation for Senegal to restructure its debt. Alexis Akwagyiram, semafor.com, 25 May 2026 For a while, Howe masked this divergence between reality and expectations. George Caulkin, New York Times, 25 May 2026 Massie, who is Libertarian-leaning, seemed to nod at his divergence from the Republican Party on the war, going as far as using some of his colleagues’ skepticism of reports of the deal’s terms as a litmus test for his support of it. Kevin Liptak, CNN Money, 24 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for divergence
Recent Examples of Synonyms for divergence
Noun
  • Epitaxial growth of SiC on wafers requires temperatures above 2732°F and precise precursor chemistry; even small process deviations can generate micropipe defects that render devices inoperable.
    Aditya Jadhav, Interesting Engineering, 1 June 2026
  • The application calls for neighborhood development and site development permits for work within the public right of way fronting 1595 Coast Walk, including deviations to allow a new driveway and for two existing guest parking spaces to remain.
    Noah Lyons, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 May 2026
Noun
  • Even a middle school student would perceive a stark difference between someone who voices a bogus theory and someone who acts on it.
    DP Opinion, Denver Post, 31 May 2026
  • The shooting also raised questions about differences in security approaches between major public events.
    Ben Wheeler May 30, Kansas City Star, 30 May 2026
Noun
  • The liveried doormen hop to it like tree frogs, as if your every arrival and departure were a matter of the utmost urgency and significance.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 June 2026
  • Savage, though, was particularly emotional when discussing the eventual departure of shortstop and back-to-back Big Ten player of the year Roch Cholowsky, who is widely expected to be a first-round pick.
    Joaquin Ruiz, Los Angeles Times, 1 June 2026
Noun
  • Most recently, late neoliberalism revived a central aspect of 1970s pluralism, retooled as representative diversity—once again under the pressure of political activism, which reckoned with decades of racially exclusionary collecting, exhibiting, and hiring practices at art institutions.
    Katy Siegel, Artforum, 2 June 2026
  • As a result, seed diversity and resiliency have been compromised and control of seed has moved away from farmers and local communities to large corporations.
    Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 2 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Divergence.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/divergence. Accessed 4 Jun. 2026.

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