divergence
noun
di·ver·gence
də-ˈvər-jən(t)s 
dī-
1
a
: a drawing apart (as of lines extending from a common center)
b
c
evolutionary biology
: the development of dissimilar traits or features (as of body structure or behavior) in closely related populations, species, or lineages of common ancestry that typically occupy dissimilar environments or ecological niches : divergent evolution
2
: a deviation from a course or standard
3
: the condition of being mathematically divergent
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
This divergence is another example of a shift in investor sentiment toward defensive strategies as macroeconomic risks persist.
—
Garth Friesen, Forbes, 9 Mar. 2025
This divergence might shock European elites, but is hardly surprising given the rise of populist nationalism across the world, including in many European countries.
—Matt Robison, Newsweek, 24 Feb. 2025
The February 2025 resignation of Danielle Sassoon from her role as U.S. attorney in New York is an example of legitimate divergence between an appointee and the president’s policy direction.
—James L. Perry, The Conversation, 21 Feb. 2025
The first real warning sign on the chart was a bearish momentum divergence at the January 2025 peak, where the RSI was sloping downward as price made a new high.
—David Keller, CNBC, 20 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for divergence
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Garth Friesen, Forbes, 9 Mar. 2025
This divergence might shock European elites, but is hardly surprising given the rise of populist nationalism across the world, including in many European countries.
—Matt Robison, Newsweek, 24 Feb. 2025
The February 2025 resignation of Danielle Sassoon from her role as U.S. attorney in New York is an example of legitimate divergence between an appointee and the president’s policy direction.
—James L. Perry, The Conversation, 21 Feb. 2025
The first real warning sign on the chart was a bearish momentum divergence at the January 2025 peak, where the RSI was sloping downward as price made a new high.
—David Keller, CNBC, 20 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for divergence
Cite this Entry
“Divergence.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/divergence. Accessed 13 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
divergence
noun
di·ver·gence
də-ˈvər-jən(t)s
dī-
: the state of diverging : a drawing apart (as of lines extending from a common center)
Medical Definition
divergence
noun
di·ver·gence
də-ˈvər-jən(t)s, dī-
1
a
: 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
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