divergence

noun

di·​ver·​gence də-ˈvər-jən(t)s How to pronounce divergence (audio)
dī-
Synonyms of divergencenext
1
a
: a drawing apart (as of lines extending from a common center)
b
: difference, disagreement
c
evolutionary biology : the development of dissimilar traits or features (as of body structure or behavior) in closely related populations, species, or lineages of common ancestry that typically occupy dissimilar environments or ecological niches : divergent evolution
2
: a deviation from a course or standard
3
: the condition of being mathematically divergent

Synonyms of divergence

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Examples of divergence in a Sentence

a growing divergence of opinion about that U.S. president's place in history any divergence from the community's strict moral code was met with social ostracism
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
One randomized trial comparing high-dose oral D3 with narrow-band UVB found no difference in lipid profiles but clear divergence in immune-pathway signaling. — Tanya Akim, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2026 The relative line made lower lows into the middle of 2025, while the 14-month RSI made higher lows, creating a positive momentum divergence. — Frank Cappelleri, CNBC, 12 Aug. 2026 At some point, though, the divergence between valuations and economic fundamentals becomes increasingly hard to ignore. — John Cassidy, New Yorker, 10 Aug. 2026 But the dramatic divergence of the new measurement from the detector’s own past results, along with the collaboration’s claim of high precision, made the situation hard to ignore. — Matt Von Hippel, Quanta Magazine, 29 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for divergence

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from New Latin dīvergentia, noun derivative of Latin dīvergent-, dīvergens divergent

First Known Use

1656, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of divergence was in 1656

Rhymes for divergence

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Browse Nearby Words

divergement
divergence
divergency
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Cite this Entry

“Divergence.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/divergence. Accessed 20 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

divergence

noun
di·​ver·​gence də-ˈvər-jən(t)s How to pronounce divergence (audio)
dī-
: the state of diverging : a drawing apart (as of lines extending from a common center)

Medical Definition

divergence

noun
di·​ver·​gence də-ˈvər-jən(t)s, dī- How to pronounce divergence (audio)
1
a
: a drawing apart
b
: the acquisition of dissimilar characters by related organisms under the influence of unlike environments
2
: dissemination of the effect of activity of a single nerve cell through multiple synaptic connections compare convergence sense 4
diverge
-ˈvərj How to pronounce divergence (audio)
verb
diverged; diverging
divergent
-ˈvər-jənt How to pronounce divergence (audio)
adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on divergence

Nglish: Translation of divergence for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about divergence

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