deviance

Definition of deviancenext

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of deviance Yet during the axman’s reign in the early 1900s, a Black woman’s confession to murder was interpreted through the lens of religious deviance rather than diversity. Lauren Nicole Henley, The Conversation, 17 Feb. 2026 One real danger here is the normalization of deviance — when small ethical compromises become routine, paving the way for larger issues down the line. Rhett Power, Forbes.com, 6 July 2025 Many immigrant communities either ignore mental health challenges or see symptoms as evidence of spiritual deviance. Lovia Gyarkye, HollywoodReporter, 6 June 2025 Jeffrey’s confrontation of the deeply disturbing underbelly of his seemingly quintessential hometown, with its idyllic exterior glorifying the American Dream, mirrors the tension between repression and indulgence, normalcy and deviance. Travis Bean, Forbes, 22 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for deviance
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deviance
Noun
  • If entry-level consultants, lawyers, and financial analysts were being systematically substituted out at the pace Amodei described to 60 Minutes in November 2025, McCrory’s occupation-level unemployment data should already show some divergence.
    Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 24 July 2026
  • At divergence points, other autonomous vehicles complete their journey.
    Brad Templeton, Forbes.com, 23 July 2026
Noun
  • In addition to the discrepancy between the two ad loads, the Fox and Telemundo measurements are at odds, as the English-language figures include pre-match coverage, while Telemundo’s reports are match-only averages.
    Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 21 July 2026
  • This discrepancy between wish fulfilment and truth-seeking is simple enough to grasp when there’s a binary question, such as whether Odysseus is alive or dead.
    Paul A. Thompson, Pitchfork, 21 July 2026
Noun
  • But according to Twain, Langley’s success also underscores the gender disparity in country music.
    Joseph Hudak, Rolling Stone, 24 July 2026
  • In an executive order last year, the White House directed the Education Department to issue new school discipline guidance, and called for a review of organizations that had promoted policies to address disparities in discipline.
    ABC News, ABC News, 23 July 2026
Noun
  • In fact, the German scholar Winfried Fluck, in a study of the Americanization of global culture, credited Americans’ dissimilarities with the dominance of its popular culture.
    Lily Rothman, Time, 23 Apr. 2026
  • Their results support the hypothesis that limiting trait similarity allows the establishment of non-native parakeets at the local scale by reducing competition with native species due to trait dissimilarity.
    GrrlScientist, Forbes.com, 16 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Amazing wildlife diversity Making the Okefenokee world renowned is its diverse fauna.
    Charles Seabrook, AJC.com, 25 July 2026
  • Even within the same species, unchecked inbreeding has harmed genetic diversity and overall health, experts say.
    Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 25 July 2026
Noun
  • Since the losing streak began, the Marlins’ bullpen ERA has ranked among the 10 worst in baseball, a stark contrast from June, when the unit ranked inside MLB’s top five.
    Tyler M. Carmona, Miami Herald, 26 July 2026
  • In Chicago, by contrast, the commissioner of aviation oversees O’Hare and Midway, the 3rd and 31st busiest airports in the country, for a salary of just over $360,000, according to the Chicago Data Portal.
    Idaho Statesman, Idaho Statesman, 26 July 2026
Noun
  • And the difference between a new EV and a gas car is $6,680, not including any incentives.
    Liz Knueven,Ryley Amond, CNBC, 24 July 2026
  • At first, these data would be cryptic—who besides the biggest air-pollution nerd would know the difference between 35 μg/m3 of particulate matter (yellow-level risk, per the AQI) and 60 μg/m3 (red-level risk)?
    Daniel Engber, The Atlantic, 24 July 2026
Noun
  • Everything, the Basil Karlo, Matt Hagen and all the variations.
    Anthony D'Alessandro, Deadline, 23 July 2026
  • Each piece is individually hand-dyed by artisans in India, producing subtle variations from one linen to the next.
    Thomas Waller, Footwear News, 23 July 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Deviance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deviance. Accessed 26 Jul. 2026.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster