divergence
n.a situation where two things start to become different or move in different directions.
n.the process or state of moving apart or becoming increasingly different from a common point or standard.
“There is a growing divergence between their political views.”
“The divergence in economic growth between the two regions led to significant migration toward the industrial centers.”
“While the two species share a common ancestor, their evolutionary divergence is clearly visible in the distinct shapes of their beaks and nesting habits.”
Uncountable when referring to the abstract process; countable when referring to specific instances or points of difference.
“However, on large islands, geographic distance may restrict movement, while environmental variation may impose divergent selection, thereby promoting adaptive divergence.”
“A divergence opened after 2008 and accelerated after 2016, with Democrats now 28 points more likely than working-class voters to think we should worry more about equality.”