Definitions
- Referring to a departure from a planned or expected course of action. - Talking about a change in direction or behavior that is different from what was intended or agreed upon. - Describing a shift or variation from a standard or norm.
- Referring to a separation or branching off from a common point or path. - Talking about a difference in opinion, belief, or perspective. - Describing a situation where two or more things become increasingly dissimilar or distinct.
List of Similarities
- 1Both words describe a change or shift from a previous state.
- 2Both involve a departure from a common point or path.
- 3Both can refer to a difference or variation from a standard or norm.
What is the difference?
- 1Direction: Deviate implies a change in direction or behavior, while diverge suggests a separation or branching off.
- 2Cause: Deviate often implies an external factor or circumstance that causes the change, while diverge can be caused by internal factors such as differing opinions or beliefs.
- 3Degree: Diverge suggests a greater degree of difference or separation than deviate.
- 4Focus: Deviate emphasizes the change itself, while diverge emphasizes the resulting differences or distinctions.
- 5Usage: Deviate is more commonly used in formal contexts such as business or academic writing, while diverge is more commonly used in everyday conversation.
Remember this!
Deviate and diverge both describe a change or shift from a previous state, but they differ in their direction, cause, degree, focus, and usage. Deviate implies a change in direction or behavior caused by external factors, while diverge suggests a separation or branching off caused by internal factors. Diverge also suggests a greater degree of difference or separation than deviate, and is more commonly used in informal contexts.
