divergent
moving or developing in different directions
Roots
- dis- / dif-: apart, away, not, reversal, or disruption
- vers / vert / verg: turn, bend, or incline
Other words with the vers / vert / verg root
The turn-family is doing quiet work here: divergent lines or views bend away from each other.
The two studies began with the same question but reached divergent conclusions.
Divergent does not need to mean hostile. It means separating from a shared point, path, or standard. The useful image is two lines that begin near each other and then turn apart.