Synonyms of deviation

deviation

noun

ˌdē-vē-ˈā-shən 

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

• departure
• detour
• divergence
• deflection
• divergency
• diversion
• regression
• reversion
• divagation
• retrogression

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• adherence

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of deviation

This stretch of ribosomal RNA (rRNA) is identical across every other animal that’s been studied, so the deviation jumped out at Han. — Cody Cottier, Scientific American, 29 July 2026

American manhood is a fragile and precarious thing, shattered by the slightest deviation from ever-shifting norms—eating the wrong taco, tasting tofu, not eating meat, or maybe eating too much meat. — Adam Serwer, The Atlantic, 28 July 2026

This is a major deviation from classical thermodynamics, and so the researchers questioned what would happen to the heat flow if the system and channel started at different temperatures or when there are two thermal reservoirs. — Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 27 July 2026

Now, doctors get your latest cycle phase, symptoms, sleep score, steps and temperature deviation sent straight to their clinical dashboards so your stats are all in one place. — Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 23 July 2026