Synonyms of deviate

deviate 1 of 3

adjective

ˈdē-vē-ət 

as in abnormal

departing from some accepted standard of what is normal

the mother's deviate response to her child's death aroused suspicions

Synonyms & Similar Words

• abnormal
• unnatural
• irregular
• deviant
• unusual
• uncommon
• aberrant
• atypical
• anomalous
• untypical
• aberrational
• devious
• extraordinary
• odd
• eccentric
• unrepresentative
• unconventional
• strange
• curious
• bizarre
• weird
• funny
• rare
• outlandish
• peculiar
• remarkable
• screwy
• idiosyncratic
• kinky
• unwonted
• wacky
• nonconformist
• whacky
• unorthodox
• quirky
• out-of-the-way
• outré
• way-out
• wild
• quaint
• freakish
• uncustomary
• queer
• preternatural
• far-out
• queerish

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• normal
• typical
• standard
• regular
• natural
• common
• ordinary
• familiar
• routine
• usual
• commonplace
• everyday
• customary
• unremarkable
• average
• characteristic
• run-of-the-mine
• unexceptional
• run-of-the-mill
• run-of-mine
• representative
• workaday
• wonted
• archetypal
• archetypical

deviate

2 of 3

noun

ˈdē-vē-ət 

as in pervert

a person who has sunk below the normal moral standard

a sleazy bar that seemed to be an informal clubhouse for deviates

Synonyms & Similar Words

• pervert
• degenerate
• rake
• villain
• libertine
• rip
• playboy
• backslider
• debauchee
• debaucher
• profligate
• derelict
• rakehell
• perv
• decadent
• delinquent
• heel
• bankrupt
• rogue
• reprobate
• cad
• scoundrel
• blackguard
• knave
• incorrigible
• sicko
• satyr
• miscreant
• lecher
• rascal
• sickie
• playgirl

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• saint

deviate

3 of 3

verb

ˈdē-vē-ˌāt 

as in to turn

to change one's course or direction

sailors forced to deviate from their course in order to avoid the storm

Synonyms & Similar Words

• turn
• swing
• diverge
• veer
• sheer
• turn off
• detour
• wheel
• swerve
• tack
• turn back
• double (back)
• zigzag

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb deviate contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of deviate are depart, digress, diverge, swerve, and veer. While all these words mean "to turn aside from a straight course," deviate implies a turning from a customary or prescribed course.

never deviated from her daily routine

When is it sensible to use depart instead of deviate?

Although the words depart and deviate have much in common, depart suggests a deviation from a traditional or conventional course or type.

occasionally departs from his own guidelines

When is digress a more appropriate choice than deviate?

While the synonyms digress and deviate are close in meaning, digress applies to a departing from the subject of one's discourse.

a professor prone to digress

How do diverge and depart relate to one another, in the sense of deviate?

Diverge may equal depart but usually suggests a branching of a main path into two or more leading in different directions.

after school their paths diverged

When can swerve be used instead of deviate?

The words swerve and deviate are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, swerve may suggest a physical, mental, or moral turning away from a given course, often with abruptness.

swerved to avoid hitting the dog

When might veer be a better fit than deviate?

In some situations, the words veer and deviate are roughly equivalent. However, veer implies a major change in direction.

at that point the path veers to the right

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of deviate

Adjective

Her pitch was simple: Homosexuality is a sin, and if homosexuals were given carte blanche to glamorize their ‘deviate lifestyle’ in Miami-area classrooms, the American family would be destroyed and the American way of life would disappear. —Chris Willman, Variety, 9 Jan. 2025

Aggravating circumstances: Rape/criminal deviate conduct, on probation or parole, mutilation/torture. —Tim Evans, Indianapolis Star, 31 Jan. 2014

Noun

The map shows how far the night skies in different parts of the world deviate from natural sky brightness. —Carl Engelking, Discover Magazine, 10 June 2016

But despite the stress on the program, Campbell didn’t deviate from his core values — choosing redshirt sophomore quarterback Hunter Dekkers over anyone from the portal. —Dallas News, 14 July 2022

Verb

Musk's threat to back the unseating of officeholders deviating from fiscal conservatism raises questions about grassroots accountability, donor influence and the enduring sway of Trump within GOP ranks. —Anna Commander, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 July 2025

Instead, the Olympian’s attention deviated to the officer’s appearance. —Caroline Price, Forbes.com, 9 July 2025