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
Examples of divergent in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Illinois and Indiana, as a whole, are vastly different politically and culturally: a blue state and red state side by side in the center of the nation, separated by a 159-mile border, with divergent laws on everything from reproductive rights to gun control to gender-affirming health care.
—
Angie Leventis Lourgos, Chicago Tribune, 16 Feb. 2025
Republicans on the House Energy and Commerce Committee want to power AI with fossil fuels and nuclear energy — but divergent Democrats mean the panel might struggle to do much.
—Daniel Moore, Axios, 15 Feb. 2025
The potential for cuts could disrupt the Farm Bill negotiations and lead to political gridlock, with Republican and Democratic factions holding divergent views.
—Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 14 Feb. 2025
How did a tiny island become a melting pot for such divergent experiences?
—Zac Ntim, Deadline, 10 Feb. 2025
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Angie Leventis Lourgos, Chicago Tribune, 16 Feb. 2025
Republicans on the House Energy and Commerce Committee want to power AI with fossil fuels and nuclear energy — but divergent Democrats mean the panel might struggle to do much.
—Daniel Moore, Axios, 15 Feb. 2025
The potential for cuts could disrupt the Farm Bill negotiations and lead to political gridlock, with Republican and Democratic factions holding divergent views.
—Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 14 Feb. 2025
How did a tiny island become a melting pot for such divergent experiences?
—Zac Ntim, Deadline, 10 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for divergent
Dictionary Entries Near divergent
Cite this Entry
“Divergent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/divergent. Accessed 19 Feb. 2025.
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