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

The London and New York gold markets are also experiencing bouts of sharp price divergence.

— Mark Leonard, Foreign Affairs, 18 Aug. 2026
The divergence has helped Taiwan pull ahead of South Korea in gross domestic product per capita in 2025 for the first time in more than two decades, a gap that is expected to widen further this year.

— John Liu, CNN Money, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of divergence

Noun

Have there been any improvements in access to care or in addressing health disparities?

— Maggie Donahue, HEALTH, 20 Aug. 2026
What the research shows The USC Annenberg Inclusion Initiative released a landmark study in November 2025 revealing severe gender and racial disparities among the creators and guests of popular podcasts.

— Frank Racioppi, Forbes.com, 19 Aug. 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

Historically a safe haven, the Vineyard is now seen as the epicenter for changing the narrative on diversity, showcasing Black and Brown Americans as the backbone of the nation's economy and future.

— Doug Melville, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026
Gonzalez appeared at a contentious July congressional hearing in which the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History director, Anthea Hartig, was grilled on matters of diversity, equity, and inclusion in its programming.

— Brian Boucher, ARTnews.com, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of diversity

Noun

In contrast, the new 74,000-square-foot (6,875-square-meter) Buc-ee’s off Interstate 70 near Dayton has more than 100 gas pumps, 24 electric vehicle chargers and 700 parking spaces.

— ABC News, ABC News, 23 Aug. 2026
The majority of Duff’s footwear was comprised of white leather, which sat in contrast to three black stripes on the side, an Adidas signature.

— Amina Ayoud, Footwear News, 22 Aug. 2026

Definition of contrast

Noun

Those ideas say some people are superior to others, and the inequality that exists in the world around us reflects those innate differences, and inequality is a good thing, and a necessary thing, and the only real way to organize social life.

— John Blake, CNN Money, 22 Aug. 2026
Recent sales data suggest shoppers are responding to the price difference.

— Beth Livesay, AJC.com, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of difference

Noun

Quantum sensing sees underground QGG works by measuring tiny changes in gravity caused by variations in the density of material beneath the ground.

— Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 20 Aug. 2026
Cementitious grout is made from cement, water, aggregate materials, and, depending on your variation, can also include sand.

— Abid Haque, Architectural Digest, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of variation

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“Deviance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deviance. Accessed 24 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of deviance

noun

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