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
Studies even suggest cannabis can enhance creative thinking by stimulating divergent thought processes (Cannabis and Creativity Study, 2015).
—
Matt Rozo, The Mercury News, 28 Feb. 2025
Copper miners are likely to see divergent outcomes as U.S. tariffs on the metal loom — raising the potential for a domestic supply crunch while also driving up the U.S. copper price premium over the London Metal Exchange.
—Jenni Reid, CNBC, 27 Feb. 2025
Image That likely split screen — Mr. Trump returning to the world’s most powerful job while Mr. Bolsonaro stays home on court orders — will encapsulate the two political doppelgängers’ starkly divergent paths since they were voted out of office and then claimed fraud.
—Jack Nicas, New York Times, 16 Jan. 2025
The upcoming election will determine the direction of future economic policies, with contenders offering divergent views on how to restore the country's competitive edge and stimulate growth.
—Michael Gfoeller and David H. Rundell, Newsweek, 15 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for divergent
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.
Matt Rozo, The Mercury News, 28 Feb. 2025
Copper miners are likely to see divergent outcomes as U.S. tariffs on the metal loom — raising the potential for a domestic supply crunch while also driving up the U.S. copper price premium over the London Metal Exchange.
—Jenni Reid, CNBC, 27 Feb. 2025
Image That likely split screen — Mr. Trump returning to the world’s most powerful job while Mr. Bolsonaro stays home on court orders — will encapsulate the two political doppelgängers’ starkly divergent paths since they were voted out of office and then claimed fraud.
—Jack Nicas, New York Times, 16 Jan. 2025
The upcoming election will determine the direction of future economic policies, with contenders offering divergent views on how to restore the country's competitive edge and stimulate growth.
—Michael Gfoeller and David H. Rundell, Newsweek, 15 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for divergent
Cite this Entry
“Divergent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/divergent. Accessed 19 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share