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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
  • Voters are deeply concerned about income disparity but also skeptical about the unusual approach of the billionaire tax.
    — Seema Mehta, Los Angeles Times, 25 Sep. 2026
  • Dems are using the disparity to press Jackson on his debate reticence.
    — AJ Willingham, AJC.com, 24 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
  • While the Dirty Knobs’ songs vary in style, reflecting the great diversity of top 40 music when Campbell was growing up in the 1960s, the band overall has a more dense, blues-rooted feel.
    — Thom Duffy, Billboard, 25 Sep. 2026
  • Other provisions of the law go further, restricting governments from allowing tax dollars to be spent promoting diversity or inclusion.
    — Douglas Hanks, Miami Herald, 25 Sep. 2026
Definition of diversity
Noun
  • That's a stark contrast to Makary and other recent FDA nominees who have had to divest investments or cut other financial ties with companies regulated by the FDA.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 25 Sep. 2026
  • Infrastructure, by contrast, can generate revenue for decades.
    — Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 25 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

Browse Nearby Words

develops
deviance
deviances
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Cite this Entry

“Deviance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deviance. Accessed 27 Sep. 2026.

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