Diverges

To diverge means to separate and move in different directions from a common point. It can also describe the act of differing or deviating from a set path, opinion, or standard. This separation or deviation can be physical, like a road splitting, or abstract, such as diverging viewpoints in a debate. The core idea is a movement away, a growing dissimilarity or disunion from a shared origin or established norm. This applies whether it is to move apart or to differ in opinion.

Diverges meaning with examples

• After the fork in the road, the paths diverged sharply, leading the hikers into distinctly different terrains. One climbed a steep mountain, while the other followed a river valley. Eventually, the two groups were on different sides of the land.
• The opinions of the focus group members diverged dramatically after the presentation; some were enthusiastic, while others expressed significant reservations. The facilitator then attempted to find a consensus, a hard task as the opinions were polar opposites of each other.
• As the company grew, the strategies of the marketing and sales departments began to diverge, resulting in conflicting campaigns and missed opportunities. Both departments then realized they had to come up with new strategies that matched each other.
• The scientists observed that the genetic traits of the two populations diverged over generations due to environmental pressures and adaptation. The scientists eventually hypothesized the two populations were now distinct species and no longer viable to breed.