divergence
noun
di·ver·gence
də-ˈvər-jən(t)s 
dī-
1
a
: a drawing apart (as of lines extending from a common center)
b
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
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
This divergence implies that the selling pressure is beginning to alleviate, and a potential bottom could be imminent.
—
David Keller, CNBC, 30 Jan. 2025
What's more, the Nation's Report Card highlights some worrying divergence happening within those scores.
—Jonaki Mehta, NPR, 29 Jan. 2025
Brazilian courts acted quickly and aggressively The court ruling that deemed Mr. Bolsonaro ineligible is an illustration of another divergence in the approaches: The Brazilian judiciary has been faster and far more aggressive in its pursuit of Mr. Bolsonaro.
—Jack Nicas, New York Times, 16 Jan. 2025
Concerns about debt levels may be showing up in financial markets too, as bond yields have been increasing even as the Federal Reserve has been cutting interest rates, a divergence that some investors have described as highly unusual.
—Tobias Burns, The Hill, 13 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for divergence 
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David Keller, CNBC, 30 Jan. 2025
What's more, the Nation's Report Card highlights some worrying divergence happening within those scores.
—Jonaki Mehta, NPR, 29 Jan. 2025
Brazilian courts acted quickly and aggressively The court ruling that deemed Mr. Bolsonaro ineligible is an illustration of another divergence in the approaches: The Brazilian judiciary has been faster and far more aggressive in its pursuit of Mr. Bolsonaro.
—Jack Nicas, New York Times, 16 Jan. 2025
Concerns about debt levels may be showing up in financial markets too, as bond yields have been increasing even as the Federal Reserve has been cutting interest rates, a divergence that some investors have described as highly unusual.
—Tobias Burns, The Hill, 13 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for divergence
Dictionary Entries Near divergence
Cite this Entry
“Divergence.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/divergence. Accessed 7 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
divergence
noun
di·ver·gence
də-ˈvər-jən(t)s
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-
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
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