divergence

noun

di·​ver·​gence də-ˈvər-jən(t)s 

dī-

1

a

: a drawing apart (as of lines extending from a common center)

b

: difference, disagreement

c

evolutionary biology : the development of dissimilar traits or features (as of body structure or behavior) in closely related populations, species, or lineages of common ancestry that typically occupy dissimilar environments or ecological niches : divergent evolution

2

: a deviation from a course or standard

3

: the condition of being mathematically divergent

Synonyms

• bifurcation
• divarication
• divergency
• separation

Examples of divergence in a Sentence

a growing divergence of opinion about that U.S. president's place in history

any divergence from the community's strict moral code was met with social ostracism

Recent Examples on the Web

In May 2015, the NYSE All A/D line formed a negative divergence that resulted in a 12% decline that ended in August 2015. —Tom Aspray, Forbes, 16 Mar. 2025

But beyond the personality issues, there has been a divergence in policy between the Dutertes and Marcoses. —Lisandro Claudio, The Conversation, 12 Mar. 2025

The Red Sea diversions have driven the widening divergence in the two indices since the beginning of 2024, according to Linerlytica. —Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 4 Mar. 2025

Zelenskyy's fiery Friday meeting with Trump and Vice President JD Vance demonstrated the divergence in Ukrainian and U.S. visions of Russia's war, blame for which Trump has repeatedly and falsely attributed to Kyiv while also seeking to undermine Zelenskyy's legitimacy. —David Brennan, ABC News, 3 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from New Latin dīvergentia, noun derivative of Latin dīvergent-, dīvergens divergent

First Known Use

1656, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for divergence

• convergence
• emergence
• resurgence
• submergence
• postemergence
• preemergence
• reemergence
• vergence

Kids Definition

divergence

noun

di·​ver·​gence də-ˈvər-jən(t)s 

dī-

: the state of diverging : a drawing apart (as of lines extending from a common center)

Medical Definition

divergence

noun

di·​ver·​gence də-ˈvər-jən(t)s, dī- 

1

a

: a drawing apart

b

: the acquisition of dissimilar characters by related organisms under the influence of unlike environments

2

: dissemination of the effect of activity of a single nerve cell through multiple synaptic connections compare convergence sense 4

diverge

-ˈvərj 

verb

diverged; diverging

divergent

-ˈvər-jənt 

adjective