diverge

verb

də-ˈvərj How to pronounce diverge (audio)
Definition of divergenext
1
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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2
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 According to the study, the two species likely diverged millions of years ago. —Lauren Liebhaber updated July 22, Miami Herald, 22 July 2025 Another diverging diamond interchange could be coming to an interstate in the Milwaukee metro area. —Liliana Fannin, jsonline.com, 15 July 2025 If not for our nation’s First Amendment, our country could quickly resemble a despotism where police forces attack reporters and quash news reports that diverge from the official view. —The Editorial Board, Oc Register, 15 July 2025 The groups may have diverged from each other about 130 million years ago, during the early Cretaceous period, the researchers said. —Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 14 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for diverge
Recent Examples of Synonyms for diverge
  1. deviate
  2. separate
  3. turn
  4. part
  5. divide
  6. spread
  7. fork
  8. retreat
Verb
  • For one thing, AI currently lacks the creativity, intuition or adaptability needed to deftly handle any emergency that deviates from historical flight data.
    — Mark Fischetti, Scientific American, 21 July 2025
  • Because the river winds, the streets accessing the docks in Lincoln Yards had to deviate in their headings.
    — F.K. Plous, Chicago Tribune, 11 July 2025
Definition of deviate
Verb
  • Unfortunately, some of this history seems relevant now as immigrant children are being forcibly separated from their parents.
    — Jane Ciabattari July 22, Literary Hub, 22 July 2025
  • The moment sparked fan speculation and internet sleuths uncovered the shy couple's identity — CEO Astronomer Andy Byron and Chief People Officer Kristin Cabot, both of whom were discovered to be married to separate people.
    — Diana Leyva, Nashville Tennessean, 22 July 2025
Definition of separate
Verb
  • The trade turned into one of the most lopsided deals in big-league history.
    — Meghan Montemurro, Chicago Tribune, 29 July 2025
  • Fister, meanwhile, turned into a strikeout machine, and well, a latter-day Alexander, with an 11.4 K/BB ratio and a 1.79 ERA in 11 starts.
    — Ryan Ford, Freep.com, 29 July 2025
Definition of turn
Verb
  • The clouds truly began to part, however, when Antony and Josephine gave Baser some advice that would go on to change the course of her career.
    — Sophie Williams, Billboard, 25 July 2025
  • Martin, who is forty years old, was dressed like a Backstreet Boy, with a plaid shirt worn open over a tank top and wide-legged jeans, his short light-brown hair parted down the middle.
    — Emily Witt, New Yorker, 24 July 2025
Definition of part
Verb
  • Hamilton County residents are divided on the new lease terms for Paycor Stadium.
    — Erin Glynn, The Enquirer, 25 July 2025
  • Tesla quarterly revenues by segment Q1 2019–Q2 2025 The column chart shows Tesla’s revenues divided by three segments: automotive, services and other, and energy generation and storage, from Q1 2019 through Q2 2025.
    — Arjun Kharpal,Lora Kolodny, CNBC, 24 July 2025
Definition of divide
Verb
  • Summer storms move more slowly than in other seasons, leaving rain to pile up in the same place instead of spreading across a wider surface area.
    — Mary Whitfill Roeloffs, Forbes.com, 31 July 2025
  • The Pan American Health Organization issued an epidemic warning as the worst yellow fever outbreak in decades spread across South America.
    — Jeronimo Gonzalez, semafor.com, 31 July 2025
Definition of spread
Verb
  • Major value Due to the above, teams willing to fork over picks next summer could ask for the moon in return.
    — Morten Stig Jensen, Forbes.com, 26 July 2025
  • But starting pitching is a hot commodity, so maybe a team will fork over a decent return for a guy who’s been uber-reliable the last couple years.
    — The Athletic MLB Staff, New York Times, 25 July 2025
Definition of fork
Verb
  • Mortensen retreated back into her room and locked the door, immediately texting her housemates.
    — Time, Time, 23 July 2025
  • Now, companies are retreating from the term 'DEI' but retaining their discriminatory policies.
    — Chloe Mayer, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 July 2025
Definition of retreat

Browse Nearby Words

dive (into)
diverge
diverged
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Diverge.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/diverge. Accessed 5 Aug. 2025.

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