deviating 1 of 2

adjective

as in indirect

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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
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 Former referee Christina Unkel suggested a second angle — from the sideline — appears to show the ball not deviating in the air. — Dan Sheldon, New York Times, 11 July 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deviating
  1. indirect
  2. turning
  3. circuitous
  4. veering
  5. roundabout
  6. diverging
Adjective
  • In ordinary tax terminology, income, property, and estate taxes are often described as direct taxes, while sales, excise, and customs duties are generally characterized as indirect taxes.
    — Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 2026
  • Meanwhile, above-average tropical activity in the eastern Pacific increases the likelihood of indirect impacts to the southwestern United States, such as sending more rain to the region and more frequent flash flood concerns.
    — Dan Peck, ABC News, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of indirect
Verb
  • Hopefully all of the drifting is turning the wheels in his brain for ideas for the next great theme park attraction.
    — Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 18 Aug. 2026
  • Researchers developed the flexible material from cotton pulp cellulose, turning an abundant renewable material into an electrically conductive hydrogel.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of turning
Adjective
  • 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
  • Rouse says the track came together in an unusually circuitous way.
    — SPIN Staff, SPIN, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of circuitous
Verb
  • The intricate lavender design featured a sheer overlay that revealed structured bustier-style paneling and a delicate slip underneath, creating the illusion of a classic naked dress without veering into eveningwear territory.
    — Daisy Maldonado, InStyle, 7 Aug. 2026
  • Given the restaurant’s bar-leaning origins in the space, the drink options remain robust and veering.
    — Bill Addison, Los Angeles Times, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of veering
Adjective
  • 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
  • McDonnell would twist the story later, according to Walker and others, claiming her sister had been held for ransom and murdered, ostensibly as a roundabout way to signal evidence of her family’s fortune.
    — Cheyenne Roundtree, Rolling Stone, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of roundabout
Verb
  • 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
  • Geopolitical ​uncertainty, tariffs (subscription required) and diverging monetary policy are pulling exchange rates in different directions.
    — Eric Huttman, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of diverging

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Cite this Entry

“Deviating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deviating. Accessed 20 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on deviating

Nglish: Translation of deviating for Spanish Speakers

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