divergent

adjective

di·​ver·​gent də-ˈvər-jənt How to pronounce divergent (audio)
dī-
Synonyms of divergent
1
a
: moving or extending in different directions from a common point : diverging from each other
divergent paths
see also divergent evolution
b
: differing from each other or from a standard
the divergent interests of capital and labor
2
mathematics : relating to or being an infinite (see infinite entry 1 sense 4c) sequence that does not have a limit or an infinite series whose partial sums do not have a limit
3
physics : causing rays (see ray entry 2 sense 1b) to draw apart from a common center : causing divergence of rays
a divergent lens
divergently adverb
Choose the Right Synonym for divergent

different, diverse, divergent, disparate, various mean unlike in kind or character.

different may imply little more than separateness but it may also imply contrast or contrariness.

different foods

diverse implies both distinctness and marked contrast.

such diverse interests as dancing and football

divergent implies movement away from each other and unlikelihood of ultimate meeting or reconciliation.

went on to pursue divergent careers

disparate emphasizes incongruity or incompatibility.

disparate notions of freedom

various stresses the number of sorts or kinds.

tried various methods

Examples of divergent in a Sentence

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.
And so on through wildly divergent spousal scenarios, featuring such welcome faces as The Decameron dreamboat Amar Chadha-Patel and Emily Hampshire from Schitt’s Creek. — Judy Berman, Time, 11 Aug. 2026 Horse racing's Triple Crown faces an uncertain future as leading institutions pursue divergent strategies. — Nicole Kraft, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026 The success or failure of these divergent solutions could determine how fast supersonic travel can return, without the noise complaints that grounded it decades ago, and just how many people will benefit. — Jacopo Prisco, CNN Money, 6 Aug. 2026 His first challenge will be unifying Democratic factions after a bitter primary that offered divergent visions for a party desperate for a path back to power. — Joey Cappelletti, Fortune, 5 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for divergent

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Latin dīvergent-, dīvergens, present participle of dīvergere "to proceed in different directions, diverge"

First Known Use

1696, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of divergent was in 1696

Phrases Containing divergent

Rhymes for divergent

See All Rhymes for divergent

Browse Nearby Words

divergency
divergent
divergent evolution
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Divergent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/divergent. Accessed 13 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

divergent

adjective
di·​ver·​gent də-ˈvər-jənt How to pronounce divergent (audio)
dī-
: diverging from each other
divergently adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on divergent

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for divergent

Nglish: Translation of divergent for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of salvo

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Words of the Week - Aug. 14

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
fridge-magnet-letters
Drop a Letter Quiz August 2026 Drop a letter from a word to make a totally diffe...
See All