divergent
Americanadjective
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diverging; differing; deviating.
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pertaining to or causing divergence.
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(of a mathematical expression) having no finite limits.
adjective
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diverging or causing divergence
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(of opinions, interests, etc) different
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maths (of a series) having no limit; not convergent
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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
Etymology
Origin of divergent
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
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Although their paths seem to be widely divergent, Vernice and Annie’s common desire for love, connection and purpose resonates deeply, which promises to make “Kin” a balm for readers’ fractured spirits in these divided times.
From Los Angeles Times
Also revealing are gold and bitcoin’s divergent reactions to geopolitical risk.
From MarketWatch
What’s more, different private funds can claim wildly divergent valuations on identical assets.
Shortly beforehand, both sides doubled down on their divergent positions regarding the future of the Danish territory.
From Barron's
That’s because different ETF managers define the same factor in drastically divergent ways.
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.
