deviate 1 of 3

deviate

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noun

deviate

3 of 3

verb

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

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

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 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
The Act’s control over owners and clubs also deviates substantially from American practices and is chilling to investment. Chris Deubert, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2025 The songs—written mainly by Noel, with a setlist that doesn’t deviate far from the band’s first two landmark albums, and so far hasn’t varied at all—are the kind of anthems that made all 90,000 people at Wembley jump up and down together, singing every lyric. Corey Seymour, Vogue, 28 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for deviate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deviate
Adjective
  • This all sounds so beautifully abnormal: this man and his family, on this journey, celebrating something in the Twin Cities that would be so pleasantly unexpected.
    Alec Lewis, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2025
  • The pregnancy had been complicated—marked by abnormal scan results; talk of possible termination; and a diagnosis of hypospadias, a congenital condition affecting the genitals.
    Daniella Gray, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • What follows is a floor-by-floor descent into madness as Bobby battles bloodthirsty perverts, demonic flash mobs, and hallucinogenic suburban nightmares, all while trying to figure out if he’s meant to be the hero… or just the last guy standing.
    Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 14 July 2025
  • Special-guest pervert Frank (Sam Rockwell) showcases a monologue about his autogynephilia.
    Armond White, National Review, 9 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Despite her signature humor, Dunst's Town & Country also turned heartfelt.
    Jay Stahl, USA Today, 22 Aug. 2025
  • National Park Service officials say there was no way to predict the Dragon Bravo Fire would turn into an inferno, jump containment lines and rip through the Grand Canyon's North Rim, leaving a historic lodge and 100 other structures in smoking ruin.
    DAILY BRIEFING, AZCentral.com, 22 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • With tensions already flaring, a nightmarish encounter with a mysterious, unnatural force threatens to corrupt their lives, their love, and their flesh.
    Billie Melissa, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Aug. 2025
  • Later that night, the brothers return with Dougal supporting Colum, as his leg is twisted in an unnatural way.
    Lincee Ray Published, EW.com, 15 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Created by Rob Mac (formerly McElhenney, who also plays the character Mac), the Emmy-deserving series premiered 20 years ago on Aug. 4, 2005, introducing the world to a gang of morally bankrupt degenerates running the least successful bar in Philly, Paddy's Pub.
    James Mercadante, EW.com, 4 Aug. 2025
  • Novak: The fact that this group of degenerates, these bloodsucking, mass-murdering vampires and wannabe vampires, [could be] so lovable is amazing.
    Michael Ordoña, Los Angeles Times, 28 May 2025
Verb
  • Longtime guitarist Dougie Needles swung his axe over his left shoulder, holding it aloft for a late solo during the closing number.
    Jim Ryan, Forbes.com, 19 Aug. 2025
  • On Friday, the focus will swing to Jackson Hole, Wyoming, which has been the home in past years of many big policy announcements from the Fed.
    Matt Ott, Chicago Tribune, 19 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Look for areas where dry, brown grass has accumulated on the lawn and use a rake to remove or de-thatch it.
    Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 19 Aug. 2025
  • On the morning of Aug. 13, a three-person city crew equipped with a skid steer, a dump truck, shovels and rakes was making its way up North 19th Street, picking up pile after pile of debris sitting outside homes.
    Alison Dirr, jsonline.com, 13 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • About 600,000 years ago, modern humans genetically diverged from the lineage that produced Neanderthals and Denisovans — our closest cousins in the family tree of human species.
    Mindy Weisberger, CNN Money, 22 Aug. 2025
  • For the first time in three decades, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has issued vaccine recommendations that significantly diverge from those by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
    Tom Gavin, EverydayHealth.com, 21 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Deviate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deviate. Accessed 31 Aug. 2025.

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