Synonyms of deviant

deviant 1 of 2

adjective

ˈdē-vē-ənt 

as in abnormal

departing from some accepted standard of what is normal

some studies show that many violent criminals begin exhibiting deviant behavior in early childhood

Synonyms & Similar Words

• abnormal
• unnatural
• irregular
• aberrant
• unusual
• anomalous
• atypical
• uncommon
• deviate
• devious
• aberrational
• untypical
• extraordinary
• odd
• eccentric
• bizarre
• unrepresentative
• weird
• strange
• unconventional
• curious
• funny
• kinky
• rare
• peculiar
• remarkable
• idiosyncratic
• outlandish
• queer
• freakish
• wacky
• quirky
• unwonted
• screwy
• preternatural
• nonconformist
• outré
• quaint
• wild
• unorthodox
• out-of-the-way
• way-out
• uncustomary
• far-out
• queerish

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• normal
• typical
• standard
• regular
• natural
• common
• ordinary
• familiar
• routine
• commonplace
• usual
• everyday
• characteristic
• customary
• average
• unremarkable
• run-of-the-mill
• unexceptional
• workaday
• representative
• run-of-the-mine
• archetypal
• wonted

deviant

2 of 2

noun

as in maverick

a person who does not conform to generally accepted standards or customs

branded as social deviants by a society that did not value self-expression

Synonyms & Similar Words

• maverick
• bohemian
• eccentric
• freak
• nonconformist
• individualist
• loner
• anomaly
• heretic
• iconoclast
• enfant terrible
• free spirit
• lone ranger
• character
• lone wolf
• nonconformer
• boho
• weirdo
• oddball
• counterculturist
• crank
• crackpot
• aberrant
• misfit
• outsider
• screwball
• freethinker
• kook
• nut
• codger
• eight ball
• crackbrain

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• adherent
• conformist
• follower
• sheep
• supporter
• conformer

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of deviant

Adjective

How often the crimes of a deviant cast shadows on others for years to come. — Chicago Tribune, 18 July 2026

Most of all, the repercussions are felt by students, who receive a very clear message about which stories their community considers dirty or deviant. — Sophia Nguyen, The Atlantic, 18 July 2026

Noun

White segregationists and liberals have outed Black people as deviant to maintain their claims to normalcy and socioeconomic dominance. — Literary Hub, 24 Feb. 2026

Among them is a singer (Kiernan Shipka) making a living as an exotic dancer, who, after becoming Sheridan’s victim, joins them in their battle to rein in the young deviant. — Carlos Aguilar, Variety, 25 Jan. 2026