divergent

/daɪˈvʌrdʒɪnt/

/daɪˈvʌdʒənt/

Other forms: divergently

Something divergent is moving away from what is expected. Two divergent paths are moving in opposite directions — away from each other.

Things that are divergent are diverging — moving away from a path or a standard. A teacher who comes to work in a clown outfit is being divergent; a clown who comes to work in a business suit is also being divergent. A stream is divergent if it is moving in the opposite direction of a river. A politician who is divergent might leave his political party. Divergent people and things are changing course — moving off the beaten path.

Definitions of divergent

1. adjective

   tending to move apart in different directions
   synonyms: diverging

   branching

   resembling the branches of a tree

   radiating

   diverging from a common point

   oblique

   slanting or inclined in direction or course or position--neither parallel nor perpendicular nor right-angled

   antonyms:

   convergent

   tending to come together from different directions

   confluent, merging

   flowing together

   focused, focussed

   (of light rays) converging on a point

   oblique

   slanting or inclined in direction or course or position--neither parallel nor perpendicular nor right-angled
2. adjective

   diverging from another or from a standard
   “a divergent opinion”

   synonyms:

   different

   unlike in nature, quality, form, or degree