DEVIANCE Synonyms: 69 Similar and Opposite Words

deviance

noun

Definition of deviance

as in divergence

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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

According to Gregory Daco, EY-Parthenon chief economist, the productivity gains that explain that divergence largely predate the AI boom.

— Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 4 Sep. 2026
This divergence dates back to a wave of oil industry nationalization pushed by the Venezuelan government in 2007.

— , CNBC, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of divergence

Noun

Supporters point out the discrepancies between the district’s Black students and their peers.

— Kate Armanini, Chicago Tribune, 31 Aug. 2026
Some of the information provided at pickup regarding the trucking company, driver, and vehicles involved contained discrepancies and is also under investigation.

— Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of discrepancy

Noun

Venice artistic director Alberto Barbera acknowledged the disparity when announcing the lineup, calling it a recent low for the festival.

— Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 2 Sep. 2026
Severe economic disparities brought many young women and men from Thailand’s poor northeastern Isan region to work in Pattaya’s lucrative nightlife sector.

— Grant Peck, Los Angeles Times, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of disparity

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

Definition of dissimilarity

Noun

That leaves out information about thousands of students in American schools, although many schools do not track or report gender diversity data.

— Jonaki Mehta, NPR, 4 Sep. 2026
Carr has been investigating diversity practices at Comcast since February 2025 and not ruled out subjecting its NBC licenses to an early review.

— Reuters, NBC news, 4 Sep. 2026

Definition of diversity

Noun

The Republicans' back-to-the-future approach will provide a stark contrast in November with Democrats, whose primary includes both younger and progressive candidates.

— ABC News, ABC News, 5 Sep. 2026
In contrast to the On Cloudmonster 3‘s bold and prominent floral covering, the Cloud X Tempo invites the Alpine Floral print in only by way of its insole.

— Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 5 Sep. 2026

Definition of contrast

Noun

The big difference is that each fame-o will be paired with a non-famous friend or family member.

— Bethy Squires, Vulture, 5 Sep. 2026
Testing competing superconductors under matching conditions can help isolate differences caused by the materials themselves.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 5 Sep. 2026

Definition of difference

Noun

Minute variations in the hand engraving, together with individual numbering, mean no two examples are exactly identical.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 3 Sep. 2026
Such color variations are thought to be associated with camouflage, protection against parasites and ultraviolet radiation, and the effects of pleiotropic genes (genes that influence more than one, usually unrelated, physical trait or phenotype).

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of variation

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“Deviance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deviance. Accessed 6 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of deviance

noun

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