divergent
Tending to separate
Divergent means moving apart or differing from a common point.
Paths that diverge go in separate directions; divergent opinions fail to align.
In biology, divergent evolution produces species that become increasingly different from a shared ancestor.
The word often implies growing distance over time: Their views on parenting became increasingly divergent.
Division into two branches
- forkTined eating tool
- splitSeparation into parts
- ramificationSecondary consequence of action
- branchingSplitting into separate directions
offshoot · subdivision · separation · parting · tributary · delta · distributary · splay
Not the same
- disparateEssentially different in kind
- contrastingShowing striking differences
- distinctClearly distinguishable, separate
- unlikeNot similar to
discrepant · incongruent · varying · differing · conflicting · incompatible · contradictory · opposed
Departing from standard practice
- maverickIndependent-minded rule-breaker
- rebelAuthority defier
- dissenterOpponent of orthodoxy
- iconoclastAttacker of cherished beliefs
contrarian · individualist · free-thinker · outsider · radical · unorthodox · bohemian · eccentric
Of many types
- variedDiffering in type
- multifariousHaving great variety
- heterogeneousConsisting of dissimilar elements
- assortedOf various sorts
eclectic · wide-ranging · manifold · pluralistic · multiplicity · spectrum · array · range
First or inventive
- innovativeIntroducing new ideas
- novelNew and unusual
- inventiveShowing original thought
- imaginativeAble to conceive new ideas
brainstorming · experimental · unorthodox · fresh · groundbreaking · visionary · pioneering
Formation of distinct species
- phylogeneticOf evolutionary relationships
- homologousHaving shared evolutionary origin
- differentiationRecognizing meaningful differences
- diversificationExpanding into varied areas
bifurcation
Division into two branches
- forkTined eating tool
- splitSeparation into parts
- ramificationSecondary consequence of action
branching · offshoot · subdivision · separation · parting · tributary · delta · distributary · splay · radiate
different
Not the same
- disparateEssentially different in kind
- contrastingShowing striking differences
- distinctClearly distinguishable, separate
unlike · discrepant · incongruent · varying · differing · conflicting · incompatible · contradictory · opposed · clashing
unconventional
Departing from standard practice
iconoclast · contrarian · individualist · free-thinker · outsider · radical · unorthodox · bohemian · eccentric · heretic
diverse
Of many types
- variedDiffering in type
- multifariousHaving great variety
- heterogeneousConsisting of dissimilar elements
assorted · eclectic · wide-ranging · manifold · pluralistic · multiplicity · spectrum · array · range · diversity
original
First or inventive
- innovativeIntroducing new ideas
- novelNew and unusual
- inventiveShowing original thought
imaginative · brainstorming · experimental · unorthodox · fresh · groundbreaking · visionary · pioneering
speciation
Formation of distinct species
- phylogeneticOf evolutionary relationships
- homologousHaving shared evolutionary origin
- differentiationRecognizing meaningful differences
stray
Wander from course
digress · wander · depart · drift · detour · tangent · sidestep · meander · devious · astray
- directionsnorth, south, east, west, left
- sequencessequence, arithmetic, series, geometric, progressions
- Learning Stylesauditory, visual, kinesthetic, tactile, verbal
- function propertiesdomain, range, continuity, derivative, limit
- plate boundarytransform, subduction zone, mid-ocean ridge, collision zone
- stamensstamen, anther, filament, pollen, connective
divergentconvergent
Tending toward union
converging · confluent · merging · coming together · meeting
divergentagreeing
Sharing the same view
concordant · aligned · congruent · harmonious · similar
divergentfocused
Directing attention narrowly
focussed · convergent · concentrated · centralized · unified
- divergent thinkingProducing varied ideas freely
- divergent timelineAlternate sequence of events
diverge, divergence, diverged, diverges, divergences, divergently, divergency, diverger