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

Those are wildly divergent, somewhat conflicting requirements. —Wes Siler, Outside Online, 6 Nov. 2024

At the same time, he's also occasionally expressed admiration for Chinese President Xi Jinping and has a record of seeking deals with ideologically divergent leaders. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2024

The results reflect homeowners’ and renters’ divergent interests, said Kyla Thomas, a USC sociologist and director of the university’s LABarometer survey. —Liam Dillon, Los Angeles Times, 24 Oct. 2024

In 2012 Haile-Selassie and his colleagues announced their discovery of an enigmatic hominin foot with a divergent big toe more like an ape’s. —Donald C. Johanson, Scientific American, 15 Oct. 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