DIVERGE Synonyms: 38 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'diverge' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of diverge are depart , deviate , digress , swerve , and veer . While all these words mean "to turn aside from a straight course," diverge may equal depart but usually suggests a branching of a main path into two or more leading in different directions. // after school their paths diverged

Q: When is 'depart' a more appropriate choice than 'diverge'?

The words depart and diverge are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, depart suggests a deviation from a traditional or conventional course or type. // occasionally departs from his own guidelines

Q: In what contexts can 'deviate' take the place of 'diverge'?

Although the words deviate and diverge have much in common, deviate implies a turning from a customary or prescribed course. // never deviated from her daily routine

Q: When can 'digress' be used instead of 'diverge'?

In some situations, the words digress and diverge are roughly equivalent. However, digress applies to a departing from the subject of one's discourse. // a professor prone to digress

Q: Where would 'swerve' be a reasonable alternative to 'diverge'?

The words swerve and diverge can be used in similar contexts, but swerve may suggest a physical, mental, or moral turning away from a given course, often with abruptness. // swerved to avoid hitting the dog

Q: When could 'veer' be used to replace 'diverge'?

The synonyms veer and diverge are sometimes interchangeable, but veer implies a major change in direction. // at that point the path veers to the right

diverge

verb

də-ˈvərj

Definition of diverge next

as in to deviate

to change one's course or direction the deer abruptly diverged from its intended path the moment it spied the waiting lynx

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in to separate

to go or move in different directions from a central point at that point the road and the railroad tracks diverge

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb diverge contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of diverge are depart, deviate, digress, swerve, and veer. While all these words mean "to turn aside from a straight course," diverge may equal depart but usually suggests a branching of a main path into two or more leading in different directions.

after school their paths diverged

When is depart a more appropriate choice than diverge?

The words depart and diverge are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, depart suggests a deviation from a traditional or conventional course or type.

occasionally departs from his own guidelines

In what contexts can deviate take the place of diverge?

Although the words deviate and diverge have much in common, deviate implies a turning from a customary or prescribed course.

never deviated from her daily routine

When can digress be used instead of diverge?

In some situations, the words digress and diverge are roughly equivalent. However, digress applies to a departing from the subject of one's discourse.

a professor prone to digress

Where would swerve be a reasonable alternative to diverge?

The words swerve and diverge can be used in similar contexts, but swerve may suggest a physical, mental, or moral turning away from a given course, often with abruptness.

swerved to avoid hitting the dog

When could veer be used to replace diverge?

The synonyms veer and diverge are sometimes interchangeable, but veer implies a major change in direction.

at that point the path veers to the right

Example Sentences

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.

Recent Examples of diverge These newcomers diverge from incumbents in several significant ways—including cost. —

Kerry McDonald, Forbes, 21 Jan. 2025 China’s offshore yuan has lost more than 3% since Donald Trump’s presidential election victory in early November as the outlook for monetary policy in the U.S. and China diverged. —

Anniek Bao, CNBC, 20 Jan. 2025 Trump’s diverging views on foreign policy President-elect Donald Trump has been skeptical of U.S. alliances, including NATO and defense partnerships in the Asia-Pacific, all of which the Biden team has worked to shore up over the past four years. —

Matthew Lee, Chicago Tribune, 18 Jan. 2025 The policies put in place across European countries have also come at a time when the UK has diverged from the EU following the Brexit vote. —

Jake Kanter, Deadline, 28 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for diverge

Recent Examples of Synonyms for diverge

Verb

By clearly codifying into law the objectives and authorities of our international assistance programs in a bipartisan fashion, Congress would ensure that foreign assistance will not deviate from its core purpose nor fail to deliver value for Americans.

— Ted Yoho, TIME, 13 Feb. 2025
This prisoner exchange appears to deviate from the typical scenario, whereby Russian and American hostages would be released simultaneously and identified shortly before or immediately after the swap.

— Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 12 Feb. 2025