diverge
Americanverb (used without object)
-
to move, lie, or extend in different directions from a common point; branch off.
-
to differ in opinion, character, form, etc.; deviate.
-
Mathematics. (of a sequence, series, etc.) to have no unique limit; to have infinity as a limit.
-
to turn aside or deviate, as from a path, practice, or plan.
verb (used with object)
verb
-
to separate or cause to separate and go in different directions from a point
-
(intr) to be at variance; differ
our opinions diverge
-
(intr) to deviate from a prescribed course
-
(intr) maths (of a series or sequence) to have no limit
Synonym Usage
See deviate.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Conjugated Forms
Present
-
have divergedperfect
-
has divergedperfect 3rd person singular
-
is divergingprogressive 3rd person singular
-
have been divergingperfect progressive
-
am divergingprogressive 1st person singular
-
divergessingular 3rd person
-
has been divergingperfect progressive 3rd person singular
-
are divergingprogressive
-
divergingparticiple
Past
-
had divergedperfect
-
had been divergingperfect progressive
-
were divergingprogressive plural
-
divergedparticiple
-
divergedsimple
-
was divergingprogressive singular
Future
Etymology
Origin of diverge
First recorded in 1655–65; from Medieval Latin dīvergere, from Latin dī- di- 2 + vergere “to incline”
Explanation
When two roads diverge, they split and go in different directions. If your opinion diverges from mine, we do not agree. To diverge means to move apart or be separate. The poet, Robert Frost, wrote: "Two roads diverged in a wood, and I -/ I took the one less traveled by / And that has made all the difference." The word diverge in the poem carries both the meaning of separating and of being apart from the main. As a poet, it was Frost's job to use words properly. Here he does not diverge from this role.
Vocabulary lists containing diverge
List 2
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Twelve Angry Men
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
"The Road Not Taken"
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Rising fuel prices have disproportionately hit lower earners and caused sentiment and spending to diverge.
From Barron's • May 28, 2026
As the U.S. and Israel begin to diverge, America will increasingly find it more difficult to influence Israeli policy.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 26, 2026
But there are other ways that this agreement appears to diverge from US law, tax experts say.
From BBC • May 21, 2026
Regardless, parallels between contemporary artists and Mozart diverge when commercial success figures into the picture.
From Salon • May 16, 2026
Not only did variation and dip diverge from place to place, but in 1634 a group of English experimenters claimed that variation fluctuated over time.
From "The Invention of Science" by David Wootton
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
