Diverge: meaning, definitions and examples

๐Ÿ›ค๏ธ
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diverge

 

[ dษชหˆvษœหrdส’ ]

Verb
Context #1 | Verb

in decision-making

To diverge means to move or extend in different directions from a common point. It can also refer to a difference of opinion or belief.

Synonyms

branch off, deviate, separate, split.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
diverge

Used when two things move in different directions from a common point, often in a figurative sense such as ideas, opinions, or paths.

  • Our opinions on the topic began to diverge
  • The road will diverge into two smaller paths
deviate

Implies a departure from an established course or norm. Often carries a slightly negative connotation, suggesting straying from what is expected or acceptable.

  • He tends to deviate from the rules
  • They deviated from their planned route and got lost
separate

Means to set or keep apart. It is used when describing both physical and abstract divisions, such as groups, items, or concepts.

  • The teacher had to separate the two students to stop them from talking
  • We decided to separate our tasks to work more efficiently
split

Denotes dividing into parts or groups, and can refer to both physical objects and ideas. It often implies a more permanent division.

  • They decided to split the bill evenly
  • The company plans to split into two independent units
branch off

Often used when describing a physical path that splits from a main route, like a road or a river. It can also apply to projects or efforts starting from a central point.

  • Take the first road that branches off to the right
  • The project will branch off into different sub-projects

Examples of usage

  • The group's opinions began to diverge as they discussed the issue further.
  • As we reached the fork in the road, the paths started to diverge.
Context #2 | Verb

in mathematics

In mathematics, to diverge means that a sequence or series does not have a finite limit.

Synonyms

deviate, stray, vary.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
diverge

Use this word when talking about paths or opinions that start at the same point but then go in different directions. It is often used in formal or academic settings.

  • The two roads diverge in the forest.
  • Their views on the policy began to diverge.
vary

Use this word to describe things that are different from one another or change over time. It does not carry a negative connotation and is often used in neutral or positive contexts.

  • The prices of vegetables vary throughout the year.
  • The students' opinions varied on the subject.
deviate

This word is used when something moves away from an established course or standard. It can sometimes have a negative connotation, implying that the deviation is unexpected or unwanted.

  • The train deviated from its scheduled route.
  • His behavior deviated from the norm.
stray

Commonly used when someone or something moves away from where they are supposed to be. It is often used in more casual or colloquial contexts and can have a slightly negative implication.

  • The dog strayed from the yard.
  • He tends to stray from the main topic during discussions.

Examples of usage

  • The infinite series diverges as the terms do not approach a specific number.
Context #3 | Verb

in nature

In nature, diverge can describe the process of species evolving and developing differences from a common ancestor.

Synonyms

differentiate, evolve, split.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
diverge

Used when two or more things start to go in different directions or when opinions start to differ.

  • Their paths began to diverge after high school
  • Opinions on this matter tend to diverge
split

Used when something breaks into parts or when people or groups separate. Can have a negative connotation when referring to conflicts or disagreements.

  • They decided to split the profits equally
  • The group split after a heated argument
evolve

Used to describe gradual development or change over time, often for living organisms or ideas.

  • Species evolve over millions of years
  • Their relationship has evolved into a strong friendship
differentiate

Used when showing or identifying differences between two or more things.

  • It's important to differentiate between fact and opinion
  • She can easily differentiate good coffee from bad

Examples of usage

  • Over time, the bird populations on the two isolated islands began to diverge in appearance and behavior.

Translations

Translations of the word "diverge" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น divergir

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เค…เคฒเค— เคนเฅ‹เคจเคพ

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช abweichen

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ menyimpang

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ะฒั–ะดั…ะธะปัั‚ะธัั

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ rozchodziฤ‡ siฤ™

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ๅˆ†ๅฒใ™ใ‚‹ (bunki suru)

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท diverger

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ divergir

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท sapmak

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ๊ฐˆ๋ผ์ง€๋‹ค

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ุชุจุงุนุฏ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ odchรฝlit se

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ odchรฝliลฅ sa

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ๅˆ†ๆญง (fฤ“nqรญ)

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ razhajati se

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ skiljast

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ะฐะถั‹ั€ะฐัƒ

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒ’แƒแƒงแƒแƒคแƒ

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ fษ™rqlษ™nmษ™k

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ divergir

Etymology

The word 'diverge' comes from the Latin word 'divergere', which is a combination of 'di-' (apart) and 'vergere' (to turn). The concept of divergence has been used in various fields such as mathematics, biology, and decision-making processes. It reflects the idea of moving away from a common point or path, whether it's in physical directions, opinions, or evolutionary paths.

See also: divergence, divergences, divergent, diverging.

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #16,404, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.