divergent

Synonym Chooser

How is the word divergent different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of divergent are different, disparate, diverse, and various. While all these words mean "unlike in kind or character," divergent implies movement away from each other and unlikelihood of ultimate meeting or reconciliation.

went on to pursue divergent careers

When would different be a good substitute for divergent?

While the synonyms different and divergent are close in meaning, different may imply little more than separateness but it may also imply contrast or contrariness.

different foods

When might disparate be a better fit than divergent?

The meanings of disparate and divergent largely overlap; however, disparate emphasizes incongruity or incompatibility.

disparate notions of freedom

When is diverse a more appropriate choice than divergent?

The words diverse and divergent are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, diverse implies both distinctness and marked contrast.

such diverse interests as dancing and football

Where would various be a reasonable alternative to divergent?

The synonyms various and divergent are sometimes interchangeable, but various stresses the number of sorts or kinds.

tried various methods

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 divergent None of this is to say Eternity needed to be another Past Lives, telling the story of a woman forced to confront the divergent paths of life with two possible romantic partners in as aching a tone as possible. Hershal Pandya, Vulture, 9 Sep. 2025 And in the 1990s, the nation’s medical experts, realizing the costs of divergent advice, aligned their recommendations with the CDC’s too. Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 5 Sep. 2025 Senate Finance Committee’s chairman Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, and ranking member Ron Wyden, D-Oregon, had divergent takes Kennedy's role as Health secetary. Adrianna Rodriguez, USA Today, 4 Sep. 2025 Though Shakespeare certainly appealed to James’s interests with the Scottish play, the two men held divergent views on what witches did and not do. Emily Zarevich, JSTOR Daily, 3 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for divergent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for divergent
Adjective
  • Businesses also use VPNs to keep their proprietary information and data on a single server, especially if workers are spread out among different offices, according to developer platform Cloudflare.
    Arpan Lobo, Freep.com, 4 Oct. 2025
  • Unfortunately, the offensive line that has done well in the first four weeks of the season is set to look far different in Week 5, which Cowboys fans learned in the team's injury report released on Friday.
    Reice Shipley, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The ground floor is home to the offices of creative director Gherardo Felloni and longtime brand ambassador Inès de la Fressange; the Salon de l’Héritage, an exhibition space and the Salon Vivier reception room, which reflects the distinctive interior design taste of the house’s founder.
    Joelle Diderich, Footwear News, 1 Oct. 2025
  • From the modernist, Black figuration of Kwami’s ceramics to Abban’s documentary portrayals of Ghanaian protest movements and architecture, these artists responded to the distinctive, pedestrian layers of postcolonial life.
    Edna Bonhomme, Artforum, 1 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • One site, as reported by Phys, had a distinct path, whereas another lacked these types of markers.
    Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 6 Oct. 2025
  • Among the most popular are Scorpios, Macakizi, and Xuma Village, each offering its own distinct energy, style, and soundtrack.
    Susmita Baral, Travel + Leisure, 5 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Armenia was another new sourcing showcase, with an offer of 11 manufacturers of diverse profiles, from sportswear to outerwear.
    Ellen Groves, Footwear News, 2 Oct. 2025
  • Taiwan president Lai Ching-te promised to honor the referendum result while focusing on diverse energy sources.
    Yu-Tzu Chiu, IEEE Spectrum, 2 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Divergent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/divergent. Accessed 6 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on divergent

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