diverged; diverging
1
a
: to move or extend in different directions from a common point : draw apart
diverging roads
b
: to become or be different in character or form
The friends' lives diverged after graduation.
: differ in opinion
This is where our views diverge.
2
: to turn aside from a path or course : deviate
diverge from a direct path
3
mathematics
: to be divergent (see divergent sense 2)
: deflect
diverge a compass needle
Synonyms
Examples of diverge in a Sentence
A prism causes rays of light to diverge.
They were close friends in college, but after graduation, their lives diverged.
Recent Examples on the Web
This sweeping study examines the results of such shifts, which, the author argues, are what set countries on diverging developmental paths and produced a host of modern social ills.
—
The New Yorker, 10 Feb. 2025
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) sought to capitalize on the diverging views in the GOP over how to handle costly measures like tax cuts and Medicaid.
—Ramsey Touchberry, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 8 Feb. 2025
The same thing was found in squid genes, even though squids and octopuses diverged evolutionarily between 248 million years and 455 million years ago.
—Monica Cull, Discover Magazine, 3 Feb. 2025
But diverging national interests and competing budget priorities mean that reshaping European defense will be difficult, expensive and lengthy.
—Jeanna Smialek, New York Times, 3 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for diverge 
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The New Yorker, 10 Feb. 2025
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) sought to capitalize on the diverging views in the GOP over how to handle costly measures like tax cuts and Medicaid.
—Ramsey Touchberry, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 8 Feb. 2025
The same thing was found in squid genes, even though squids and octopuses diverged evolutionarily between 248 million years and 455 million years ago.
—Monica Cull, Discover Magazine, 3 Feb. 2025
But diverging national interests and competing budget priorities mean that reshaping European defense will be difficult, expensive and lengthy.
—Jeanna Smialek, New York Times, 3 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for diverge
Dictionary Entries Near diverge
Cite this Entry
“Diverge.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/diverge. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
diverge
verb
di·verge
də-ˈvərj 
dī-
diverged; diverging
: to move or extend in different directions from a common point : draw apart
diverging rays of light
two roads diverged
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