divergent

adjective

di·​ver·​gent də-ˈvər-jənt 

dī-

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

The 2022 Bruen decision offered little guidance to lower-court judges on how to apply the history-and-tradition test, and the past two years have been replete with divergent court rulings in constitutional challenges to gun regulations. —Patrik Jonsson, The Christian Science Monitor, 21 June 2024

Counseling can provide a neutral space for you two to express your divergent views. —Amy Dickinson, Detroit Free Press, 16 June 2024

At the start of the misdemeanor assault trial for ex-Officer Matthew Nutt, jurors heard divergent views of the July 1, 2022, traffic stop where Nutt punched, kicked and kneed an East Bay man named Terry Robinson 16 times within 32 seconds. —Nate Gartrell, The Mercury News, 11 June 2024

Tardieu said the council has several issues: a communication strategy in which individual members often express divergent views about how to fight the gangs; a lack of transparency over its selection process to appoint a new prime minister, and its fragile legitimacy. —Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 28 May 2024

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

Phrases Containing divergent

• divergent evolution

Kids Definition

divergent

adjective

di·​ver·​gent də-ˈvər-jənt 

dī-

: diverging from each other

divergently adverb