What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
diverged
Example
The hiking trail diverged into two paths, and we took the one on the left. [diverged: past tense]
Example
Their opinions on the matter diverged, and they decided to go their separate ways. [diverged: verb]
deviate
Example
The plane had to deviate from its flight path due to bad weather. [deviate: verb]
Example
His behavior deviated from the norm, and people started to notice. [deviated: past tense]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Deviate is more commonly used than diverged in everyday language. Deviate is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while diverged is less common and often used in specific situations.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between diverged and deviate?
Both diverged and deviate are formal words that are appropriate for use in academic or professional writing. However, deviate may be slightly more formal due to its Latin origin and association with deviation from norms or standards.
