verb

diverge

dye-VURJ/daɪˈvɜːrdʒ/

To move or develop in different directions.

The two trails diverge just beyond the wooden bridge.

Two arrows begin at one shared point then curve apart into clearly separate directions, rendered as physical colored ribbons along two diverging narrow paths; no panorama or words.

Etymology

The pieces suggest turning apart: paths head in different directions from a common point. This spatial image extended to developments or characteristics becoming different.

In context

Drachinifel1:26

although initially the beliefs of the two organizations remained relatively aligned they would diverge more and more rapidly over the coming decades

The Spanish Armada - From its Origins to the Lizard (Part 1)

More examples

Their careers diverged after they graduated from college.
Our opinions diverge on how to solve the problem.
Actual sales are diverging from our original projections.

Forms

diverge · diverges · diverged · diverging

divergence noun — Movement or development in different directions.

divergent adjective — Moving or developing in different directions.

Similar words

separate: Emphasizes moving apart rather than following increasingly different courses.
branch: Emphasizes splitting from one route into two or more.
differ: Describes being unlike without necessarily developing in different directions.