Converged
/kənˈvɜrdʒd/
verbB2past tense
Definition
To converge means to come from different directions and meet at the same place or point. It can also mean ideas, opinions, or actions becoming similar or united. This word is often used when talking about people, objects, or concepts joining or focusing together.
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See It in Action
Physical movement toward the same point or place
- •The two rivers converged before flowing into the sea.
- •The runners converged at the finish line.
- •The paths converged in the forest clearing.
Ideas, opinions, or actions becoming similar or united
- •Their opinions converged during the discussion.
- •Different cultures converged in the city over time.
- •The scientists’ views converged on the cause of the problem.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of 'converged' like 'came together,' but with a clear idea of moving from different places or directions to one point.
- ✓Picture roads or rivers flowing from different places and joining into one path or stream.
- ✓It's the feeling when friends from different parts of a city meet at the same café.
- ✓Sounds like 'con-VERGED' → imagine 'con' meaning 'with' and 'verge' meaning 'edge' or 'border,' so things come together at the edge.
- ✓Think of a meeting where people from different teams come together to share ideas.
- ✓NOT like 'joined' (which can mean simply connected), 'converged' means moving toward the same point or goal.
- ✓NOT like 'diverged' (which means moving apart), 'converged' is moving closer or meeting.
- ✓NOT like 'stayed' or 'separated,' converged means active movement toward unity or a meeting point.
Try Other Words
- •Merged: combined into one (Use when things join and become one, often without clear movement from different directions)
- •Gathered: collected in one place (Use when people or things come to the same place, often for a purpose)
- •Met: came together at a place (Use in general situations of meeting, less emphasis on movement from different directions)
- •Joined: connected or linked (Use when focusing on connection rather than movement)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: prefix "con-" (together, with) + root "verge" (edge, border) + suffix "-ed" (past tense)
- •Etymology: From Latin "convergere," meaning "to incline together" or "to bend toward"
- •Historical development: Originally used to describe physical things bending or moving toward one another; later extended to ideas and abstract concepts
- •Modern usage: Commonly used in science, technology, social discussions, and everyday language to describe coming together or uniting
Reflect & Connect
•In what situations can physical things and ideas both be said to have converged?
•How does the idea of converging help us understand teamwork or cooperation?
Fill in the blanks
1.The two roads converged ___ the small town, making it a busy crossing point.
2.When opinions converged during the meeting, the team was able to ___ a clear plan.
3.Unlike diverging paths, converged routes show ___ movement toward one place.
4.The protesters converged ___ the city square to express their demands.
5.Scientists’ ideas converged ___ the same conclusion after reviewing the data.
6.The birds converged ___ the tree branches before flying away together.
7.When different cultures converged ___ the city, new traditions were created.