divergence
noun
di·ver·gence
| \ də-ˈvər-jən(t)s
, dī-\
, dī-\
Definition of divergence
1a
: a drawing apart (as of lines extending from a common center)
b
: difference, disagreement
c
: the acquisition of dissimilar characters by related organisms in unlike environments
2
: a deviation from a course or standard
3
: the condition of being mathematically divergent
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Synonyms & Antonyms for divergence
Synonyms
bifurcation, divarication, divergency, separation
Antonyms
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Examples of divergence in a Sentence
a growing divergence of opinion about that U.S. president's place in history
any divergence from the community's strict moral code was met with social ostracism
Recent Examples on the Web
Recent months have shown a growing divergence between the high and low ends of the U.S. market. — Los Angeles Times, "Housing affordability crisis spreads to the Midwest and other lower-cost areas," 30 July 2019 Domestic cats also display relatively modest genetic divergence from their ancestors, meaning their brains are probably still wired to think like a wildcat’s. — Lauren Robin Finka, Quartz, "How to stroke a cat, according to science," 23 July 2019 Since 2009, the South’s convergence has turned to divergence, as the region recorded the country’s slowest growth in output and wages, the lowest labor-force participation rate and the highest unemployment rate. ... — Sharon Nunn, WSJ, "The South’s Economy Is Falling Behind: ‘All of a Sudden the Money Stops Flowing’," 9 June 2019 Much of Wells Fargo’s divergence occurred just after Sloan stepped down. — Hannah Levitt, Los Angeles Times, "As Wells Fargo seeks a new CEO, it loses $24 billion in market value," 20 Aug. 2019 Recent months have shown a growing divergence between the high and low ends of the U.S. market. — Prashant Gopal, chicagotribune.com, "America’s housing affordability crisis spreads to heartland," 5 Aug. 2019 That choice, to count food stamps as equivalent to cash, is by far the biggest point of divergence. — Dylan Matthews, Vox, "How many Americans live on $2 a day? The biggest debate in poverty research, explained.," 5 June 2019 Recent months have shown a growing divergence between the high and low ends of the U.S. market. — Prashant Gopal, chicagotribune.com, "America’s housing affordability crisis spreads to heartland," 5 Aug. 2019 Choi also said Moon’s words would strengthen views that the trade dispute between South Korea and Japan may signal a larger geopolitical divergence between the U.S. allies over North Korea and other security issues. — Washington Post, "Moon calls for ‘peace economy’ with N. Korea, slams Japan," 2 Aug. 2019These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'divergence.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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More Definitions for divergence
divergence
noun
di·ver·gence
| \ də-ˈvər-jən(t)s, dī-
\
\
Medical Definition of divergence
1a
: a drawing apart
b
: the acquisition of dissimilar characters by related organisms under the influence of unlike environments
2
: dissemination of the effect of activity of a single nerve cell through multiple synaptic connections — compare convergence sense 4
Other Words from divergence
diverge
\ -ˈvərj
\
verb
diverged;
diverging
\
verb
diverged;
diverging
divergent
\ -ˈvər-jənt
\
adjective
\
adjective
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