divergent

Language: en

🇺🇸 /daɪˈvɜrdʒənt/

📖 Definitions

  1. adjective
    Tending to be different or develop in different directions; moving or extending away from each other.; In mathematics, referring to a series or sequence that does not converge to a finite limit.; In biology, referring to structures or species that have evolved in different directions from a common ancestor.; In psychology, relating to thinking that generates multiple creative ideas by exploring many possible solutions.

🔗 Details

Word forms

Comparative: more divergent Superlative: most divergent

Collocations

divergent thinkingdivergent viewsdivergent opinionsdivergent pathsdivergent evolutiondivergent series

Derivatives

divergedivergencedivergentlydivergencyconvergent

Synonyms

differentdissimilardisparatevaryingcontrastingdistinct

Antonyms

convergentsimilaridenticaluniform

Commonly confused

convergent
EN: 'Convergent' means moving toward a common point, while 'divergent' means moving apart or differing.
different
EN: 'Different' is a general term for not being the same; 'divergent' specifically implies moving away from a common point or standard.

Spelling tips

EN: Remember the suffix is '-ent' (from Latin 'divergens'), not '-ant'. A common misspelling is 'divergant'.

💬 Examples

  1. The two scientists held divergent views on the cause of climate change.

  2. The harmonic series is a classic example of a divergent series.

  3. The divergent evolution of Darwin's finches resulted in different beak shapes.

  4. Divergent thinking is often measured in tests of creativity.