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
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
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
This divergence means a stablecoin deemed compliant in Singapore might not meet requirements in Japan, let alone the United States or Europe.
—
Zennon Kapron, Forbes.com, 14 Apr. 2025
However, recession fears alone can’t explain the broader divergence between munis and other types of bonds.
—Jesse Pound, CNBC, 9 Apr. 2025
The Tesla and SpaceX CEO has openly criticized Trump's latest tariff policies and the officials supporting them, marking a rare public divergence between two high-profile allies.
—Gordon G. Chang, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Apr. 2025
This new method can also be used in areas beyond human genetics, including tracking the emergence of viruses, the divergence of animal populations, and other genealogical tracking.
—Stephanie Edwards, Discover Magazine, 28 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for divergence
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Zennon Kapron, Forbes.com, 14 Apr. 2025
However, recession fears alone can’t explain the broader divergence between munis and other types of bonds.
—Jesse Pound, CNBC, 9 Apr. 2025
The Tesla and SpaceX CEO has openly criticized Trump's latest tariff policies and the officials supporting them, marking a rare public divergence between two high-profile allies.
—Gordon G. Chang, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Apr. 2025
This new method can also be used in areas beyond human genetics, including tracking the emergence of viruses, the divergence of animal populations, and other genealogical tracking.
—Stephanie Edwards, Discover Magazine, 28 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for divergence
Cite this Entry
“Divergence.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/divergence. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
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