diverge

[dih-vurj, dahy-]

verb (used without object)

diverged, diverging 

1. to move, lie, or extend in different directions from a common point; branch off.

   Synonyms: fork, deviate, separate

2. to differ in opinion, character, form, etc.; deviate.

3. Mathematics.,  (of a sequence, series, etc.) to have no unique limit; to have infinity as a limit.

4. to turn aside or deviate, as from a path, practice, or plan.

verb (used with object)

diverged, diverging 

1. to deflect or turn aside.

diverge

/ daɪˈvɜːdʒ /

verb

1. to separate or cause to separate and go in different directions from a point

2. (intr) to be at variance; differ

   our opinions diverge

3. (intr) to deviate from a prescribed course

4. (intr) maths (of a series or sequence) to have no limit

Other Word Forms

• nondiverging adjective
• undiverging adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of diverge¹

First recorded in 1655–65; from Medieval Latin dīvergere, from Latin dī- di- ² + vergere “to incline”

Word History and Origins

Origin of diverge¹

C17: from Medieval Latin dīvergere, from Latin _di- ² + vergere to turn

Synonym Study

See deviate.

Example Sentences

The more volatile the asset, the more the leveraged ETF can diverge from its performance.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The combination of skyrocketing prices, newfound volatility, and diverging investor sentiment has put miners in unfamiliar territory.

Read more on Barron's

But here’s where behavioral economics and investment strategy diverge: I don’t need everyone to follow through.

Read more on MarketWatch

They belong to a group of cartilaginous fish known as chimaeras, which diverged from sharks millions of years ago.

Read more on Science Daily

But around Labor Day, the two started to diverge.

Read more on MarketWatch

Related Words

• deviate 
• differ 
• disagree 
• dissent 
• stray 
• vary