DIVAGATION Synonyms: 26 Similar and Opposite Words

divagation

noun

Definition of divagation

as in tangent

a departure from the subject under consideration this may well appear to be a divagation at first, but I hope to establish the relevance

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in deviation

a turning away from a course or standard a self-consciously "literary" novel that represents a major divagation from traditional narrative

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

adherence

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for divagation

Noun

After the event was disrupted by an armed intruder, the Administration and the association scheduled a July do-over, where Trump delivered a rambling speech indulging seemingly every tangent that sprang to mind, but his contempt remained apparent.

— Jelani Cobb, New Yorker, 27 Sep. 2026
That got Cristobal off on a tangent about the type of players that UM targets.

— Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 9 Sep. 2026

Definition of tangent

Noun

The meat may have been stored in a refrigerator experiencing unsafe deviations in temperature.

— Eva Flowe October 21, Charlotte Observer, 21 Oct. 2026
Detecting such deviations could help distinguish between competing explanations for inflation and reveal more about the universe’s earliest conditions.

— Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of deviation

Noun

Since Sorrells was sworn in, at least 79 assistant district attorneys have resigned, according to a source familiar with the departures.

— Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Oct. 2026
His departure just days before the midterms adds to the questions swirling around MAHA’s salience to the electorate.

— Anil Oza, STAT, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of departure

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Browse Nearby Words

diva

divagation

divagations

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Divagation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/divagation. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of divagation

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

grotesque

Popular in Grammar & Usage

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Why do we 'bury the lede?'

'Za' and 9 Other Words to Help You Win at SCRABBLE

Popular

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes