diverged; diverging
1
a
: to move or extend in different directions from a common point : draw apart
diverging roads
b
: to become or be different in character or form
The friends' lives diverged after graduation.
: differ in opinion
This is where our views diverge.
2
: to turn aside from a path or course : deviate
diverge from a direct path
3
mathematics
: to be divergent (see divergent sense 2)
: deflect
diverge a compass needle
Examples of diverge in a Sentence
A prism causes rays of light to diverge.
They were close friends in college, but after graduation, their lives diverged.
Recent Examples on the Web
On Friday afternoon, the committee rejected a proposal that would have recommended that state and local jurisdictions require a prescription for the COVID-19 vaccine, but diverged from previous guidance on who should get the shot.
—
Chantelle Lee, Time, 19 Sep. 2025
This last year has seen diverging paths among nations in their energy policies, but a global point of agreement is that nuclear power is no longer an optional, but rather critical component of the Ai future and this 4th Industrial Revolution.
—Suwanna Gauntlett Upjohn, Forbes.com, 19 Sep. 2025
This suggests that a role in the development of this region for hox genes is the ancestral state, and was present prior to the limbed vertebrates diverging from fish.
—John Timmer, ArsTechnica, 17 Sep. 2025
This approach diverges from CDC policy, which, under Kennedy, has pulled back on recommendations for COVID-19 vaccines among pregnant women and healthy children.
—Jesus Mesa
gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for diverge
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Chantelle Lee, Time, 19 Sep. 2025
This last year has seen diverging paths among nations in their energy policies, but a global point of agreement is that nuclear power is no longer an optional, but rather critical component of the Ai future and this 4th Industrial Revolution.
—Suwanna Gauntlett Upjohn, Forbes.com, 19 Sep. 2025
This suggests that a role in the development of this region for hox genes is the ancestral state, and was present prior to the limbed vertebrates diverging from fish.
—John Timmer, ArsTechnica, 17 Sep. 2025
This approach diverges from CDC policy, which, under Kennedy, has pulled back on recommendations for COVID-19 vaccines among pregnant women and healthy children.
—Jesus Mesa
gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for diverge
Cite this Entry
“Diverge.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/diverge. Accessed 21 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
diverge
verb
di·verge
də-ˈvərj 
dī-
diverged; diverging
: to move or extend in different directions from a common point : draw apart
diverging rays of light
two roads diverged
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