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 Leverage, funding fragility and severe distortions in capital allocation can do far more lasting economic damage than modest deviations of inflation or employment from target. — Joao Gomes, Fortune, 25 Aug. 2026 But there are tiny systemic deviations at small angles in that orientation, which in turn create the twisted structure. — Jennifer Ouellette, ArsTechnica, 18 Aug. 2026 The three spacecraft will beam lasers at each other, looking for deviations in the travel time of those laser beams as evidence for the passing of a long-wavelength gravitational wave. — Keith Cooper, Space.com, 17 Aug. 2026 To be clear, the success of a good adaptation isn’t necessarily its faithfulness to the source material, but major deviations from the book are far from the only problems here. — Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 13 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for deviation

Recent Examples of Synonyms for deviation

Noun

The View From Beijing In a departure from business strategies of the past, this current cohort of Chinese companies has a mandate to expand internationally, according to academic Karim Alwadi, based in Beijing.

— Kelsey Warner, semafor.com, 4 Sep. 2026
Target your flight search to departure airports that regularly offer the greatest number of points and miles deals.

— Jessica Puckett, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 Sep. 2026

Definition of departure

Noun

There’s never going to be optimal city management of road closures and detours to everyone’s liking, no matter how many public hearings of driver angst and outcry take place.

— Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 6 Sep. 2026
Lovelace and Southern have compellingly stitched together interviews, performance clips, audience reactions, and a few detours into the lives of individual fans.

— Richard Lawson, HollywoodReporter, 5 Sep. 2026

Definition of detour

Noun

Angel City regained the lead with Chilufya’s first goal that got a slight deflection before getting past goalkeeper Laurel Ivory in the 14th minute.

— Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 1 Sep. 2026
Conversely, excessive blocking or mistimed deflections fill Wolf’s posture gauge, leaving him vulnerable.

— Aman Kumar, Encyclopedia Britannica, 27 Aug. 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 10 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of deviation

noun

Example Sentences

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