DIVERGE Synonyms: 38 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'diverge' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of diverge are depart , deviate , digress , swerve , and veer . While all these words mean "to turn aside from a straight course," diverge may equal depart but usually suggests a branching of a main path into two or more leading in different directions. // after school their paths diverged

Q: When is 'depart' a more appropriate choice than 'diverge'?

The words depart and diverge are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, depart suggests a deviation from a traditional or conventional course or type. // occasionally departs from his own guidelines

Q: In what contexts can 'deviate' take the place of 'diverge'?

Although the words deviate and diverge have much in common, deviate implies a turning from a customary or prescribed course. // never deviated from her daily routine

Q: When can 'digress' be used instead of 'diverge'?

In some situations, the words digress and diverge are roughly equivalent. However, digress applies to a departing from the subject of one's discourse. // a professor prone to digress

Q: Where would 'swerve' be a reasonable alternative to 'diverge'?

The words swerve and diverge can be used in similar contexts, but swerve may suggest a physical, mental, or moral turning away from a given course, often with abruptness. // swerved to avoid hitting the dog

Q: When could 'veer' be used to replace 'diverge'?

The synonyms veer and diverge are sometimes interchangeable, but veer implies a major change in direction. // at that point the path veers to the right

diverge

verb

də-ˈvərj

Definition of diverge next

as in to deviate

to change one's course or direction the deer abruptly diverged from its intended path the moment it spied the waiting lynx

Synonyms & Similar Words

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as in to separate

to go or move in different directions from a central point at that point the road and the railroad tracks diverge

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb diverge contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of diverge are depart, deviate, digress, swerve, and veer. While all these words mean "to turn aside from a straight course," diverge may equal depart but usually suggests a branching of a main path into two or more leading in different directions.

after school their paths diverged

When is depart a more appropriate choice than diverge?

The words depart and diverge are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, depart suggests a deviation from a traditional or conventional course or type.

occasionally departs from his own guidelines

In what contexts can deviate take the place of diverge?

Although the words deviate and diverge have much in common, deviate implies a turning from a customary or prescribed course.

never deviated from her daily routine

When can digress be used instead of diverge?

In some situations, the words digress and diverge are roughly equivalent. However, digress applies to a departing from the subject of one's discourse.

a professor prone to digress

Where would swerve be a reasonable alternative to diverge?

The words swerve and diverge can be used in similar contexts, but swerve may suggest a physical, mental, or moral turning away from a given course, often with abruptness.

swerved to avoid hitting the dog

When could veer be used to replace diverge?

The synonyms veer and diverge are sometimes interchangeable, but veer implies a major change in direction.

at that point the path veers to the right

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of diverge Bonobos are humanity’s closest living genetic relative, so Krupenye and his study co-authors suggest that the ability to pretend and imagine was likely present 6 million to 9 million years ago, when the two species diverged in evolutionary history. —

Evan Bush, NBC news, 5 Feb. 2026 The visit underscored diverging narratives about the rebuilding process in Los Angeles. —

Los Angeles Times, 5 Feb. 2026 While our politics diverged, my respect for him was boundless. —

Hayleigh Colombo, IndyStar, 4 Feb. 2026 Because right now the questions are beginning to diverge into two distinct buckets. —

Stewart Mandel, New York Times, 4 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for diverge

Recent Examples of Synonyms for diverge

Verb

There remains hesitation from many to deviate from norms by investing in personal security, but boardrooms are increasingly intervening and pressuring CEOs to do so, Krummrich said.

— Emily Hallas, The Washington Examiner, 8 Feb. 2026
Over the past few years, San Jose has deviated from the Housing First model by investing more money into interim housing options as an alternative to living on the streets.

— Devan Patel, Mercury News, 5 Feb. 2026

Definition of deviate

Browse Nearby Words

dive (into)

diverge

diverged

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“Diverge.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/diverge. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.

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Last Updated: 14 Feb 2026 - Updated example sentences

Synonyms of diverge

verb

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