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deviance

noun

Definition of deviancenext
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
  1. divergence
  2. discrepancy
  3. disparity
  4. dissimilarity
  5. diversity
  6. contrast
  7. difference
  8. variation
Noun
  • The study found a similar divergence in opinions among working-class Latino voters.
    — Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 17 Sep. 2026
  • The potential divergence among these three major central banks at this single juncture underscores the complexity of the current global financial environment.
    — , CNBC, 10 Sep. 2026
Definition of divergence
Noun
  • The Pentagon declined to address questions about the accounting discrepancy.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 19 Sep. 2026
  • Among other discrepancies, officers disagreed about whether a piece of the broken handle had been found with the hatchet.
    — Britt Hayes, Entertainment Weekly, 18 Sep. 2026
Definition of discrepancy
Noun
  • And that disparity between the rhetoric that's coming from high-level Republicans in Washington and from these tech CEOs is quite striking.
    — Dana Taylor, USA Today, 17 Sep. 2026
  • This disparity highlights just how much the upper end of Broward’s housing market is outperforming the rest.
    — Catherine Odom, Miami Herald, 17 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
  • This week, Levine Cava revealed a planned purge of the county staff working for volunteer Miami-Dade boards that promote diversity and activities aimed at different ethnic or racial groups.
    — Douglas Hanks, Miami Herald, 18 Sep. 2026
  • Hegseth has also sought to restore tributes to Confederate soldiers and has attacked military diversity.
    — Jeremiah Favara, The Conversation, 18 Sep. 2026
Definition of diversity
Noun
  • In contrast, Nate Coulter, executive director of the Central Arkansas Library System, filed a lawsuit regarding Act 372 of 2023, the common-sense library law, in Fayetteville before liberal Judge Timothy Brooks.
    — Robert Steinbuch, Arkansas Online, 18 Sep. 2026
  • One more try and the orchestra slides up the expressive contrast a few notches to intensify the feeling of lurching from mood to mood.
    — Justin Davidson, Vulture, 18 Sep. 2026
Definition of contrast
Noun
  • Venus in your partnership zone forms an awkward connection to Uranus in your finance sector, making differences around spending, security, or priorities harder to ignore.
    — Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 20 Sep. 2026
  • The same global brand expression must remain consistent while responding accurately to these differences.
    — Advertorial, Footwear News, 19 Sep. 2026
Definition of difference
Noun
  • Meteorological seasons were created because of those variations in length.
    — Mariyam Muhammad, Cincinnati Enquirer, 22 Sep. 2026
  • At the time, each university had its own variation of entrance exam.
    — Beth Kania-Gosche, The Conversation, 22 Sep. 2026
Definition of variation

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Cite this Entry

“Deviance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deviance. Accessed 23 Sep. 2026.

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