divergent

[dih-vur-juhnt, dahy-]

adjective

1. diverging; differing; deviating.

2. pertaining to or causing divergence.

3. (of a mathematical expression) having no finite limits.

divergent

/ daɪˈvɜːdʒənt /

adjective

1. diverging or causing divergence

2. (of opinions, interests, etc) different

3. maths (of a series) having no limit; not convergent

4. botany (of plant organs) farther apart at their tops than at their bases

Usage

The use of divergent to mean different as in they hold widely divergent views is considered by some people to be incorrect

Other Word Forms

• divergently adverb
• nondivergent adjective
• nondivergently adverb
• undivergent adjective
• undivergently adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of divergent¹

First recorded in 1690–1700, divergent is from the Medieval Latin word dīvergent- (stem of dīvergēns, present participle of dīvergere ). See diverge, -ent

Example Sentences

After their discovery of DNA’s structure, the two men took divergent paths.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

And now the word will be associated with two movies of greatly divergent quality.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

“Keeping the Fed in motion will require cooperation from the data, and a significant effort from Powell working to corral a committee with widely divergent views proceeding in a data vacuum.”

Read more on Barron's

Central banks face divergent economic issues, with some prioritizing economic support and others focusing on inflation.

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Central banks face divergent economic issues, with some prioritizing economic support and others focusing on inflation.

Read more on Barron's

Related Words

• atypical 
• conflicting 
• contradictory 
• contrary 
• different 
• disparate 
• dissimilar 
• diverse 
• various