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

One problem might be that 988 deviates from the more familiar N11 codes. — Mark Goldstein, STAT, 22 Sep. 2023 Her list will be specific — and one dares not deviate or DIL will have another reason to blame everything her husband (your beloved son) does wrong. — Bea Lewis, Sun Sentinel, 8 Dec. 2022

Verb

In its statement, the BOJ said the move was because of a risk that inflation will deviate upward to beyond its 2% target. — Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 18 Sep. 2026 But just like in the series’ preceding season, The Ed Gein Story, this one deviates from its titular character to pad itself out. — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 18 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for deviate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for deviate

Adjective

Storm surges -- abnormal rise in sea level caused by storms -- could reach 7 feet in parts of the Mississippi and Alabama coasts, and up to 5 feet on the western Florida panhandle.

— ABC News, ABC News, 7 Oct. 2026
While one form, or isomer, of thalidomide has a sedative effect, the other is thought to cause abnormal physiological development.

— Sajish Mathew, The Conversation, 7 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

The service The service here is a nod to the turn-of-the-last-century where waiters and barmen wear starched white dinner jackets and a pianist serenades your cocktails in a grand salon.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Oct. 2026
Hidden Planet is the latest in the canon, this time turning the micro-cameras on the world of insects.

— Max Goldbart, Deadline, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of turn

Adjective

That amounts to unchecked growth resulting in relatively dense stands, which are unnatural for this part of the country — despite becoming a familiar sight to Coloradans over the last few decades.

— John Wenzel, Denver Post, 7 Oct. 2026
The California Department of Public Health said animals with rabies will often have strange or unnatural behavior.

— Nicole Buss, Sacbee.com, 4 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

In the top of the second, Shohei Ohtani walked to lead off the inning, then stole second as Teoscar Hernandez swung through strike three.

— Ian Miller OutKick, FOXNews.com, 8 Oct. 2026
The Ravens swung a surprise trade Wednesday for Eagles center Cam Jurgens, padding their interior offensive line after injuries to Jovaughn Gwyn and Ethan Pocic.

— Matt Weyrich, Baltimore Sun, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of swing

Noun

As trees shed their leaves, people drag out rakes, leaf blowers and lawn bags to strip their yards bare before winter arrives.

— Manjot Kaur Sidhu, The Conversation, 9 Oct. 2026
In both versions, the helm sits at the center of the main deck, protected by a wraparound windscreen with a reverse rake.

— Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of rake

Verb

In a powerfully compelling novel that brims with the cadences of the Black South, Jones explores the women’s diverging lives while using them as a lens to observe social injustice in language that is intimate, conversational, and musical.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 8 Oct. 2026
Governments across the continent, therefore, will diverge based on their ability to educate tomorrow’s workers and match their citizens with productive jobs.

— Jared Cohen, Foreign Affairs, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of diverge

Browse Nearby Words

deviants

deviate

deviated

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“Deviate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deviate. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of deviate

adjective

noun

verb

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