diverge Hear it!

diverge Definition

di·verge (dī vʉrj; also di-)

intransitive verb -·verged, -·verg·ing

  1. to go or move in different directions from a common point or from each other; branch off paths that diverge
  2. to take on gradually a different form or become a different kind diverging customs
  3. to depart from a given viewpoint, practice, etc.; differ diverging opinions

Etymology: ML divergere (for LL devergere) < L dis-, apart + vergere, to turn: see verge

transitive verb

to make diverge

diverge Synonyms

diverge

v.

  1. To move in different directions from the same source

    radiate, separate, swerve, branch off; see deviate, veer.

  2. To be or become different

    differ, deviate, conflict, part company; see change 4, differ 1. See syn. study at deviate.

diverge Usage Examples

Object

  • lens: A diverging spectacle lens permits the eye to focus an image on the retina.
  • path: Illiquid saving may then help to explain converging or diverging paths of wealth accumulation.
  • opinion: The quality of a journey by Voyager is a subject which generates wildly diverging opinions even among railroad enthusiasts.
  • road: Seven central reserve crossing points were closed and two diverging access roads upgraded as part of the works.
  • view: The seminar stimulated a lively debate, with widely diverging views aired.
  • line: The signal box was just responsible for the diverging lines on the approach to Port Victoria.

Preposition: on

side: The Howe and Co. siding where the old spur to Cotehill Plaster works diverges on the West side of the line.

Preposition: at

angle: They do not often branch and, when branches are found, they usually diverge at an acute angle.

Modifying Another Word

  • radically: Asher also points out that the patrol members ' accounts of the action diverge radically.
  • considerably: Notably, the author's conclusions diverge considerably from the analysis found in the Commission White Paper on Modernisation.
  • significantly: How should policy deal with cases where public perceptions of risks diverge significantly from expert assessments?
  • widely: Views diverge widely on whether reservations should be permitted.
  • substantially: Based on a simple macroeconomic model, the resulting effects for the national economy in general may diverge substantially from the expected.

Used with why or when

when: For the zeta function, we have, since the series diverges when.

Preposition: from

  • ancestor: Since these strains diverged from a recent common ancestor, it appears that five horizontal exchange events have occurred.
  • line: I kept seeing several very cliche'd endings coming up, only for them to diverge away from the more obvious plot lines.
  • model: In this respect the BNP does not diverge very far from the traditional model.
  • pattern: But from 1950 onwards, the aftermath of this war diverged from the earlier pattern.
  • route: Loop line A secondary railroad route which diverges from a main route, and then joins the main route again at another location.

Browse dictionary entries near diverge

  1. diver
  2. dive bomber
  3. dive
  4. divaricator
  5. divarication
  6. divaricate
  7. divan
  8. divalent
  9. divagate
  10. diva
  1. divergence
  2. divergent
  3. divers
  4. diverse
  5. diversification
  6. diversified
  7. diversify
  8. diversion
  9. diversionary
  10. diversionist