DEVIATION Synonyms: 11 Similar and Opposite Words

deviation

noun

ˌdē-vē-ˈā-shən

Definition of deviation

as in departure

a turning away from a course or standard a memoir that was discovered to contain numerous deviations from fact

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

adherence

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 deviation City staff recommended approving the plan with a deviation from the usual rules to allow for the 10-ft decorative fence. — Dylan Lysen, Kansas City Star, 15 July 2026 City staff told commissioners the ninth floor was a code deviation the developers requested in exchange for giving a new school and playground to Crystal Academy, along with the public courtyard. — Michelle Marchante, Miami Herald, 8 July 2026 There are also significant deviations from US civilian law, said law professor Joshua Kastenberg on The Conversation. — Will Barker, TheWeek, 8 July 2026 In the book, the Senator is a man — Paul Thurman — but Yost previously confirmed that the show makes significant deviations from the source material. — Katie Mannion, PEOPLE, 3 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for deviation

Recent Examples of Synonyms for deviation

Noun

Kevin De Bruyne’s departure in summer 2025, Bernardo Silva’s this off-season and questions over Rodri’s future mean City need to rebuild the most important part of their creaking winning machine.

— Cerys Jones, New York Times, 24 July 2026
Back on the calendar with presentations are Leonard, which has not yet announced a creative director following the departure of Georg Lux in December; Chinese label Didu, and fashion veteran Xuly Bët.

— Lily Templeton, Footwear News, 24 July 2026

Definition of departure

Noun

Chances are you’re here on a broader Sonoma County trip, and if so, wine country is the obvious detour, with Healdsburg about 45 minutes north.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 19 July 2026
Sweeney said the city would notify residents and businesses before work begins, and LADOT will provide traffic control and detour assistance during construction.

— Hanna Kang, Los Angeles Times, 17 July 2026

Definition of detour

Noun

That gives Soufiane Rahimi the time and space to take a touch and score via a deflection.

— Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 14 July 2026
France couldn’t complete many of its signature long ball passes due to positioning of Spain’s midfielders and a number of timely deflections.

— Jim Barnes, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 July 2026

Definition of deflection

Browse Nearby Words

deviating

deviation

deviations

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Deviation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deviation. Accessed 26 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of deviation

noun

Example Sentences

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