DEVIATE Synonyms: 117 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

deviate 1 of 3

adjective

ˈdē-vē-ət

Definition of deviate

as in abnormal

departing from some accepted standard of what is normal the mother's deviate response to her child's death aroused suspicions

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

deviate

2 of 3

noun

ˈdē-vē-ət

as in pervert

a person who has sunk below the normal moral standard a sleazy bar that seemed to be an informal clubhouse for deviates

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

saint

deviate

3 of 3

verb

ˈdē-vē-ˌāt

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

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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

Noun

Her list will be specific — and one dares not deviate or DIL will have another reason to blame everything her husband (your beloved son) does wrong. — Bea Lewis, Sun Sentinel, 8 Dec. 2022 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

But just like in the series’ preceding season, The Ed Gein Story, this one deviates from its titular character to pad itself out. — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 18 Sep. 2026 The actual number of prime numbers deviates from the prediction. — Manon Bischoff, Scientific American, 15 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for deviate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for deviate

Adjective

About 30% of California remained free of drought or abnormal dryness.

— Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 24 Sep. 2026
If these genes stop working, abnormal cells may survive and multiply.

— MD Published, Verywell Health, 21 Sep. 2026

Definition of abnormal

Noun

This blatant fealty over objectivity perverts the process by choosing personal loyalists instead of independent public servants.

— Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 6 Aug. 2026
This blatant expression of fealty over objectivity perverts the process by choosing personal loyalists instead of independent public servants.

— Letters to the Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 5 Aug. 2026

Definition of pervert

Verb

Some expedition lines turn their nose at these types of shows, but Ponant’s theater fills for events like a Beatles tribute; near-daily lessons from the dancers also draw an audience.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Sep. 2026
Fortunately, Arkansas is beginning to turn some of that talk into action.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 23 Sep. 2026

Definition of turn

Adjective

Generated by an internal large language model (LLM), OpenAI’s proof relies on an approach that many experts find unnatural.

— Joseph Howlett, Scientific American, 21 Sep. 2026
Some deepfakes still have telltale flaws such as unnatural facial movements, lip-sync glitches, robotic speech or awkward pauses — but the technology is rapidly improving, a spokesperson for the organization said.

— Emily Elconin for CNN, CNN Money, 15 Sep. 2026

Definition of unnatural

Noun

All the characters in ‘The Pineapple’ are degenerates, and this show invites you to become one as well.

— Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 18 Sep. 2026
Takeshita came across a vaunted screwdriver in the ring as Don Callis hypocritically called him a degenerate.

— Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of degenerate

Verb

Trump agreed to help end the war after Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman asked him to get involved, but the two countries’ approaches have increasingly diverged, particularly as Riyadh grows closer to the SAF, Hogendoorn said.

— Lauren Morganbesser, semafor.com, 24 Sep. 2026
Ask a chatbot an existential question and its response likely diverges from traditional doctrine.

— Morgan Shipley, The Conversation, 21 Sep. 2026

Definition of diverge

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deviants

deviate

deviated

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“Deviate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deviate. Accessed 28 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of deviate

adjective

noun

verb

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