deviate 1 of 3

deviate

2 of 3

noun

deviate

3 of 3

verb

as in to turn
to change one's course or direction sailors forced to deviate from their course in order to avoid the storm

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb deviate contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of deviate are depart, digress, diverge, swerve, and veer. While all these words mean "to turn aside from a straight course," deviate implies a turning from a customary or prescribed course.

never deviated from her daily routine

When is it sensible to use depart instead of deviate?

Although the words depart and deviate have much in common, depart suggests a deviation from a traditional or conventional course or type.

occasionally departs from his own guidelines

When is digress a more appropriate choice than deviate?

While the synonyms digress and deviate are close in meaning, digress applies to a departing from the subject of one's discourse.

a professor prone to digress

How do diverge and depart relate to one another, in the sense of deviate?

Diverge may equal depart but usually suggests a branching of a main path into two or more leading in different directions.

after school their paths diverged

When can swerve be used instead of deviate?

The words swerve and deviate are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, swerve may suggest a physical, mental, or moral turning away from a given course, often with abruptness.

swerved to avoid hitting the dog

When might veer be a better fit than deviate?

In some situations, the words veer and deviate are roughly equivalent. However, veer implies a major change in direction.

at that point the path veers to the right

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 deviate
Adjective
Her pitch was simple: Homosexuality is a sin, and if homosexuals were given carte blanche to glamorize their ‘deviate lifestyle’ in Miami-area classrooms, the American family would be destroyed and the American way of life would disappear. Chris Willman, Variety, 9 Jan. 2025 Aggravating circumstances: Rape/criminal deviate conduct, on probation or parole, mutilation/torture. Tim Evans, Indianapolis Star, 31 Jan. 2014
Noun
The map shows how far the night skies in different parts of the world deviate from natural sky brightness. Carl Engelking, Discover Magazine, 10 June 2016 But despite the stress on the program, Campbell didn’t deviate from his core values — choosing redshirt sophomore quarterback Hunter Dekkers over anyone from the portal. Dallas News, 14 July 2022
Verb
The spending proposal lawmakers approved, negotiated among the Democratic House and Senate leaders and the governor’s office, deviates from Pritzker’s original plan in certain areas, including funding for elementary and secondary education. Dan Petrella, Chicago Tribune, 1 June 2025 Yes, but: Trump, whose holiday rhetoric has often deviated from his predecessors, occasionally slipped into his campaign-trail style during the remarks. Avery Lotz, Axios, 26 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for deviate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deviate
Adjective
  • Alzheimer’s Disease is characterized by the presence of beta-amyloid, an abnormal substance which form sticky plaques on the brain which may result in death of brain cells.
    Robert Glatter, Forbes.com, 20 June 2025
  • Mice studies suggest that activating these receptors may cut off oxygen supply to the retina, promoting the abnormal blood vessel growth that leads to nAMD.
    Claire Bugos, Verywell Health, 20 June 2025
Noun
  • Special-guest pervert Frank (Sam Rockwell) showcases a monologue about his autogynephilia.
    Armond White, National Review, 9 Apr. 2025
  • Just when things are looking up — a haughty British couple leaves this daughter of Oxfordshire a handsome tip — the dinner pervert turns up for his morning coffee.
    Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 23 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • The former athlete posted a pair of throwback photos on his Instagram Stories in honor of the Prince of Wales turning 43 on June 21.
    Charlotte Phillipp, People.com, 22 June 2025
  • The officer was traveling westbound on Olympic Parkway and was turning left to travel south on Windingwalk Street when the motorcyclist, who was traveling eastbound on Olympic Parkway allegedly crashed onto the side of police car.
    City News Service, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 June 2025
Adjective
  • The case is one of hundreds in the Medieval Murder Maps database, which uses coroners' rolls to track real cases of unnatural death in 14th-century England—now mapped across cities like London, Oxford, and York.
    Alice Gibbs, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 June 2025
  • With tensions already flaring, a nightmarish encounter with a mysterious, unnatural force threatens to corrupt their lives, their love, and their flesh.
    Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 5 June 2025
Noun
  • Novak: The fact that this group of degenerates, these bloodsucking, mass-murdering vampires and wannabe vampires, [could be] so lovable is amazing.
    Michael Ordoña, Los Angeles Times, 28 May 2025
  • Those who hold advanced degrees in mathematics and analytics, or your favorite degenerate gambler, know any piece of datum is only reliant on the trove of data that occurred previously.
    Bill Speros, Boston Herald, 7 May 2025
Verb
  • The next step, Thomson said, is to get Harper outside Friday to throw more and swing off a tee.
    Charlotte Varnes, New York Times, 20 June 2025
  • Telfar bags swung next to kente cloth wraps, and authors like Clarence Haynes signed copies of his new novel, The Ghosts of Gwendolyn Montgomery, as lines snaked through the crowds.
    Essence, Essence, 19 June 2025
Noun
  • To use mousse, rake and then scrunch it into clean, damp hair (after applying a good shampoo for curly hair and leave-in conditioner for curls).
    Malia Griggs, Glamour, 23 June 2025
  • The set includes a pruner, rake, two trowels, sprayer, along with an easy-to-store carrying case to keep it all organized.
    Mariana Best, Better Homes & Gardens, 9 June 2025
Verb
  • The finale episode, written by Lockhart herself, diverged from the book ending, but with good reason.
    Elizabeth Logan, Glamour, 25 June 2025
  • These totals would diverge from the recent historical norm for Finals Game 7s.
    Giovanni Malloy, Forbes.com, 22 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Deviate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deviate. Accessed 30 Jun. 2025.

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