What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
discordant
Example
The team's discordant opinions led to a delay in the project. [discordant: adjective]
Example
The orchestra's discordant notes made the audience cringe. [discordant: adjective]
Example
The room's decor was discordant with its surroundings. [discordant: adjective]
divergent
Example
The two candidates had divergent views on healthcare reform. [divergent: adjective]
Example
The roads diverged in the woods, and I took the one less traveled by. [diverged: past tense verb]
Example
The divergent evolution of mammals and reptiles led to distinct differences in their anatomy and physiology. [divergent: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Discordant is more commonly used in everyday language than divergent, which is more technical and specialized.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between discordant and divergent?
Both discordant and divergent can be used in formal or informal contexts, but divergent is more technical and may be more appropriate in academic or scientific writing.
