as in perverts
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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 deviates
Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 10 Jan. 2026
The Disney performance, which typically runs on weekdays, deviates from the religious overtunes.
—Todd Martens, Boston Herald, 30 Nov. 2025
Even in states whose policy deviates from the CDC, each pharmacy can set its own boundaries on who can be vaccinated, and individual pharmacists may fear liability for vaccinating pregnant customers, Groves said.
—Yasmin Tayag, The Atlantic, 16 Sep. 2025
The Uncut Gems star's ensemble deviates from his signature style, which typically includes oversize T-shirts, hoodies and shorts, as well as stylish sneakers.
—Charna Flam, People.com, 28 Aug. 2025
The Act’s control over owners and clubs also deviates substantially from American practices and is chilling to investment.
—Chris Deubert, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2025
There’s always a chance for a surprise cameo that deviates from the source material, but Choi Hyun-wook is not currently listed as a Season 2 cast member.
—Kayti Burt, Time, 26 Mar. 2025
Any policy that deviates from the central government’s could be seen as politically disloyal.
—Vivian Wang, New York Times, 20 Feb. 2025
If the system deviates from norms—perhaps because data quality has changed—the team investigates at once.
—Stephen Wunker, Forbes, 19 Feb. 2025
Verb
The director's take deviates from Shelley's in its emphasis on forgiveness.
—Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 10 Jan. 2026
The Disney performance, which typically runs on weekdays, deviates from the religious overtunes.
—Todd Martens, Boston Herald, 30 Nov. 2025
Even in states whose policy deviates from the CDC, each pharmacy can set its own boundaries on who can be vaccinated, and individual pharmacists may fear liability for vaccinating pregnant customers, Groves said.
—Yasmin Tayag, The Atlantic, 16 Sep. 2025
The Uncut Gems star's ensemble deviates from his signature style, which typically includes oversize T-shirts, hoodies and shorts, as well as stylish sneakers.
—Charna Flam, People.com, 28 Aug. 2025
The Act’s control over owners and clubs also deviates substantially from American practices and is chilling to investment.
—Chris Deubert, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2025
There’s always a chance for a surprise cameo that deviates from the source material, but Choi Hyun-wook is not currently listed as a Season 2 cast member.
—Kayti Burt, Time, 26 Mar. 2025
Any policy that deviates from the central government’s could be seen as politically disloyal.
—Vivian Wang, New York Times, 20 Feb. 2025
If the system deviates from norms—perhaps because data quality has changed—the team investigates at once.
—Stephen Wunker, Forbes, 19 Feb. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deviates
Noun
-
Also, what many now interpret as Kubrick’s exposé of elite perverts was, in fact, mostly Schnitzler’s doing.—
Lane Brown,
Vulture,
17 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
So, as mortgage rates drop, the mREIT’s stash turns into a lucrative collector’s edition.—
Brett Owens,
Forbes.com,
22 Jan. 2026
-
Your skin turns white or blue-gray as frostbite progresses and harms all layers of the skin and tissue beneath it.—
Marina Johnson,
Louisville Courier Journal,
22 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
What should be a gripping thriller centered on new, uncharted technology and questionable loyalties degenerates into a jumbled mess.—
Aramide Tinubu,
Variety,
27 Dec. 2025
-
If this group of hardened degenerates was able to enjoy the action at this level, who, exactly, are the spiritual victims of sports betting?—
Jay Caspian Kang,
New Yorker,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
The conversation between Kaleel and the man then veers to tidbits about the rap artist, Eminem.—
Jade Jackson,
IndyStar,
6 Jan. 2026
-
Mainstream media and online discussion around OnlyFans often veers into a moral panic, lamenting that the extremity of some creators’ work, in an age when outrage and engagement lead directly to revenue, may have a corrupting influence on audiences.—
Katie Whyatt,
New York Times,
5 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
When Bz points north, Earth’s field resists it; when Bz swings south, the two fields connect, allowing plasma to stream in.—
Jamie Carter,
Forbes.com,
19 Jan. 2026
-
Thankfully, at that moment, the one survivor who escaped the Jimmies' clutches, a pregnant woman named Cathy (Mirren Mack) who has been hiding in the rafters watching these horrors unfold, unhitches a large hook that swings down and impales Jimmima in the back of the head.—
Megan McCluskey,
Time,
16 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said Iran’s public rhetoric diverges from the private messaging the administration has received from Tehran in recent days.—
Jon Gambrell,
Los Angeles Times,
13 Jan. 2026
-
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Iran’s public rhetoric diverges from the private messaging the administration has received from Tehran in recent days.—
Julia Nikhinson,
Chicago Tribune,
12 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Deviates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deviates. Accessed 24 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
