DEVIATE Synonyms: 117 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

deviate 1 of 3

adjective

ˈdē-vē-ət

Definition of deviate

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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

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

Noun

Now, the man is charged with criminal deviate conduct, burglary and criminal confinement, police said. — Kate Linderman, Kansas City Star, 12 Feb. 2025 One problem might be that 988 deviates from the more familiar N11 codes. — Mark Goldstein, STAT, 22 Sep. 2023

Verb

The complication shows the moon phases for both the Northern and Southern hemispheres, with a 135-tooth driving wheel that drastically enhances accuracy, deviating by just one day every 122 years. — Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 26 Sep. 2026 Her position deviates from her religion as a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which publicly opposes the ballot measure. — Kevin Fixler, Idaho Statesman, 25 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for deviate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for deviate

Adjective

Infected animals will eventually show signs of abnormal behavior, weight loss and physical debilitation in later stages of the disease.

— DeJanay Booth-Singleton, CBS News, 21 Oct. 2026
The abnormal warmth is also delaying the changing of many tree leaves, and could bring health implications for plants across the Midwest and certain organisms living in the Great Lakes.

— Finnegan Belleau, Chicago Tribune, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of abnormal

Noun

Hansen, who left NBC in 2013 but remains a leader in the pervert-ambushing space, has spoken about having considered a sting operation against Jeffrey Epstein in 2015.

— Justin Chang, New Yorker, 25 Sep. 2026
This blatant fealty over objectivity perverts the process by choosing personal loyalists instead of independent public servants.

— Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 6 Aug. 2026

Definition of pervert

Verb

David Standridge’s philosophy is all about harvesting what’s plentiful and turning it into something delicious.

— Victoria Malloy, Time, 21 Oct. 2026
Future success will require Space42 to turn its technological capabilities, capital commitments and international partnerships into commercially viable services that can compete across markets at scale and at a sustainable cost.

— Melissa Hancock, Fortune, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of turn

Adjective

Some movements feel unnatural, facial expressions are exaggerated, and small details occasionally fall into the uncanny valley or break rules of logical consistency.

— Britta Miller, The Washington Examiner, 14 Oct. 2026
But closer examination reveals that OpenAI’s proof builds its unnatural force in a totally distinct way.

— Joseph Howlett, Scientific American, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of unnatural

Noun

All the characters in ‘The Pineapple’ are degenerates, and this show invites you to become one as well.

— Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 18 Sep. 2026
Takeshita came across a vaunted screwdriver in the ring as Don Callis hypocritically called him a degenerate.

— Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of degenerate

Verb

The outcome in California's 13th District could hinge on whether Lincoln can attract moderate and swing voters beyond the Republican base.

— Darrielle Fair, CBS News, 22 Oct. 2026
Fans at Capital One Arena swung white towels ecstatically after Justin Champagnie converted a shot — also drawing a foul — to give the Wizards a seven-point lead with just over eight minutes left.

— Jake Kauderer, Washington Post, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of swing

Noun

What makes a successful scooper Professional scoopers typically use basic tools like a rake, a dustpan lined with a garbage bag and a garden sprayer to sanitize tools in between jobs.

— Kamaron McNair, CNBC, 21 Oct. 2026
Zhou said injuries are largely preventable through taking breaks, practicing proper lifting techniques and using an appropriate length rake.

— Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of rake

Verb

Spotting where physical results diverge from computer models allows technical teams to correct their simulation software before committing to final prototype hardware.

— Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 22 Oct. 2026
On the classic Aerial Adventure ropes course, three difficulty levels with a handful of diverging paths give visitors plenty of reasons to try the obstacles more than once.

— Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of diverge

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“Deviate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deviate. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of deviate

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