diverge

verb

də-ˈvərj How to pronounce diverge (audio)
Definition of divergenext
1
as in to deviate
to change one's course or direction the deer abruptly diverged from its intended path the moment it spied the waiting lynx

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in to separate
to go or move in different directions from a central point at that point the road and the railroad tracks diverge

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb diverge contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of diverge are depart, deviate, digress, swerve, and veer. While all these words mean "to turn aside from a straight course," diverge may equal depart but usually suggests a branching of a main path into two or more leading in different directions.

after school their paths diverged

When is depart a more appropriate choice than diverge?

The words depart and diverge are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, depart suggests a deviation from a traditional or conventional course or type.

occasionally departs from his own guidelines

In what contexts can deviate take the place of diverge?

Although the words deviate and diverge have much in common, deviate implies a turning from a customary or prescribed course.

never deviated from her daily routine

When can digress be used instead of diverge?

In some situations, the words digress and diverge are roughly equivalent. However, digress applies to a departing from the subject of one's discourse.

a professor prone to digress

Where would swerve be a reasonable alternative to diverge?

The words swerve and diverge can be used in similar contexts, but swerve may suggest a physical, mental, or moral turning away from a given course, often with abruptness.

swerved to avoid hitting the dog

When could veer be used to replace diverge?

The synonyms veer and diverge are sometimes interchangeable, but veer implies a major change in direction.

at that point the path veers to the right

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of diverge Shanghai, Shenzhen, and the STAR Board diverged to close +0.15%, -0.66%, and +0.29%, respectively, on volume that decreased -6.44% from Friday, which is 121% of the 1-year average. —Brendan Ahern, Forbes, 24 Mar. 2025 That is where their paths diverged. —Cody Stavenhagen, New York Times, 10 Apr. 2025 But views diverged on the other two groups. —Brendan Rascius, Miami Herald, 8 Apr. 2025 But since then, their fortunes have diverged. —Stephanie McNeal, Glamour, 7 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for diverge
Recent Examples of Synonyms for diverge
  1. deviate
  2. separate
  3. turn
  4. divide
  5. part
  6. spread
  7. fork
  8. retreat
Verb
  • Even Porziņģis missing time throughout the playoffs didn’t force the Celtics to deviate much from their plan.
    — Jay King, New York Times, 14 Apr. 2025
  • The main function of the yeast deviated from producing good beer to simply being able to survive for an extraordinarily long period of time without its primary food source: barley sugar.
    — Gary Stoller, Forbes.com, 14 Apr. 2025
Definition of deviate
Verb
  • Heading into final rotation, the two championship hopefuls were separated by just 0.075.
    — Henry Chappell, Kansas City Star, 17 Apr. 2025
  • After Wednesday’s win in Chicago, only one road win over the Hawks separates the Heat from making the playoffs for the sixth straight season.
    — Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 17 Apr. 2025
Definition of separate
Verb
  • Ryan Coogler first turned heads with his 2013 debut Fruitvale Station, a shattering account of a fatal shooting that presaged the surge of the Black Lives Matter movement.
    — David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 10 Apr. 2025
  • Lisa Rinna turned Wednesday’s H&M & LA event in Los Angeles into a family affair, attending the event alongside her daughters Delilah Belle and Amelia Gray Hamlin.
    — Julia Teti, Footwear News, 10 Apr. 2025
Definition of turn
Verb
  • The city is divided along sectarian lines: The south is home mostly to Sunni Muslims, while the northern neighborhoods are mostly Alawite.
    — Christina Goldbaum, New York Times, 20 Apr. 2025
  • Passengers are divided on the appropriateness of removing shoes during flights, citing comfort versus hygiene and safety.
    — Christopher Elliott, USA Today, 19 Apr. 2025
Definition of divide
Verb
  • That's when glorious God gave Moses the power to part the water by raising his arm.
    — Holly Rizzuto Palker, Parents, 27 Mar. 2025
  • Jeffrey respected her wishes and the two parted for a summer.
    — Aditi Shrikant, CNBC, 19 Mar. 2025
Definition of part
Verb
  • The American Heart Association recommends that adults get at least two and a half hours per week of moderate-intensity aerobic activity or an hour and 15 minutes per week of vigorous aerobic activity, or some combination of both, preferably spread throughout the week.
    — Emily Kay Votruba, EverydayHealth.com, 14 Apr. 2025
  • Ultimately, a total of 59 bodies were shipped home for burial, while another 150 were buried in Halifax, spread among three cemeteries.
    — Greg Daugherty, Smithsonian Magazine, 14 Apr. 2025
Definition of spread
Verb
  • Factors that could influence Modrić’s future Real Madrid are not expected to fork out and invest in a new midfield star this summer, with transfer talk primarily focusing on defenders like Trent Alexander-Arnold and Dean Huijsen.
    — Sam Leveridge, Forbes, 25 Mar. 2025
  • If Enos Stanley Kroenke wants to fork over $7 million a year for rehab, Landy’s more than earned it.
    — Sean Keeler, The Denver Post, 5 Mar. 2025
Definition of fork
Verb
  • Instead of an opportunity to gawk and marvel, The Silent Twins presents these two sisters — who retreated inside themselves and spoke only to each other for years — with a sense of complete individuality and autonomy.
    — Barry Levitt, Vulture, 18 Apr. 2025
  • The Yankees’ second baseman then threw his helmet before retreating to the clubhouse.
    — Chris Kirschner, New York Times, 18 Apr. 2025
Definition of retreat

Browse Nearby Words

dive (into)
diverge
diverged
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Diverge.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/diverge. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.

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