DEVIATING Synonyms: 36 Similar and Opposite Words

deviating 1 of 2

adjective

as in indirect

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Dissimilar Words

deviating

2 of 2

verb

present participle of deviate

as in turning

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 deviating

Verb

The artisans stay true to the original colors and designs of the park — never deviating in 70 years. — Carole Horst, Variety, 21 Aug. 2026 In 2024, the government decided against deviating from the 2021 census questions in the interests of maintaining social cohesion. — ABC News, 10 Aug. 2026 Practicing deviating from our defaults, no matter how mundane, prepares us to deviate again, even in higher stakes contexts. — Nell Derick Debevoise Dewey, Forbes.com, 28 July 2026 The highly disguised initial view of the model undergoing final testing showed the luxury marque deviating away from its traditional upright boxy off-road SUVs into a new territory. — New Atlas, 27 July 2026 Nyathi says she was inspired to write the book after seeing how African men were deviating from traditional open polygamy, to having secret second families, and the negative effects this was having on the women. — Kate Bartlett, NPR, 24 July 2026 And with no hikes priced in by markets, deviating from this strategy seems unlikely. — Sean Conlon,chloe Taylor,justina Lee,tanaya MacHeel, CNBC, 22 July 2026 Subaru redesigns its midsize SUV without deviating from winning formula. — Charles Singh, USA Today, 15 July 2026 Her full-length works often feature people, especially women, holding their ground and deviating from societal expectations, which creates dissonance between their internal and external worlds. — Sky Davis, Christian Science Monitor, 13 July 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for deviating

Adjective

Put the cutting in a warm place with bright, indirect light, keep the soil evenly moist, and open the bag once each day to let in fresh air.

— Alexandra Jones, The Spruce, 30 Aug. 2026
But the second lineage has a much more indirect and mysterious connection.

— Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of indirect

Verb

Investigators say Santos was barred from trading on his own attendance but still placed large bets and issued misleading social media posts aimed at moving prices, turning a $17,839 profit.

— Larry Neumeister, Los Angeles Times, 31 Aug. 2026
For generations of American teenagers, turning 16 and getting a driver’s license has been a rite of passage—and a first taste of independence.

— Preston Fore, Fortune, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of turning

Adjective

Stephen Hunt, chief development officer for VRT, told the council that virtually every rider complaint from long waits at the Senior Center to circuitous routes traced back to a lack of funding rather than mismanagement.

— Noah Daly August 20, Idaho Statesman, 20 Aug. 2026
The trade paid off for both teams — even if the Lakers took a circuitous route to get back to prominence.

— Zach Harper, New York Times, 4 Aug. 2026

Definition of circuitous

Verb

According to an arrest report, Rios began to honk his horn at two bicyclists and then was seen on video veering his SUV toward them.

— Peter D'Oench, CBS News, 25 Aug. 2026
However, when considering veering from the tradition, recognize that your choice may draw attention away from the purpose of the day or be upsetting to others from older generations.

— Teresa Mull, FOXNews.com, 22 Aug. 2026

Definition of veering

Adjective

The county’s first roundabout, at the intersection of Tienken, Runyon and Washington roads on the Rochester/Rochester Hills border, was very controversial, Bryson recalled.

— Susan Bromley, Freep.com, 28 Aug. 2026
So far this year, there have been 37 crashes at the roundabout — three times more than there were in 2021.

— Rose Evans August 16, Idaho Statesman, 16 Aug. 2026

Definition of roundabout

Verb

PennDOT will be implementing a diverging diamond interchange near Robinson Town Centre that doesn't use the existing bridge over the Parkway West.

— John Shumway, CBS News, 17 Aug. 2026
There is a constant sense of movement, of visions and voices converging, diverging, allowing gaps and silences, but also a sense of subterranean connectedness.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of diverging

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“Deviating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deviating. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of deviating

adjective

verb

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