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

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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

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 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

Thomas Tuchel – for all his talk of remodelling England – didn’t ultimately deviate from the old flawed system. — The Week Uk, TheWeek, 24 July 2026 Tracking data from FlightAware shows the plane did not deviate from its path. — Colson Thayer, PEOPLE, 23 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for deviate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for deviate

Adjective

For the 18-year-old, who was diagnosed with the congenital heart condition Wolff-Parkinson-White at 15 years old, the episode wasn’t abnormal.

— Jordan Greene, PEOPLE, 30 July 2026
Follow-up care at the now-familiar UCSF confirmed severe precancerous dysplasia, or abnormal cells that, if left untreated, could develop into cancer.

— Sara Moniuszko, USA Today, 30 July 2026

Definition of abnormal

Verb

Quixotic aerialists twisted, turned and unfolded above the crowd, using flowing fabric and butterfly-inspired movements to mirror the creatures being celebrated.

— Sophia Buonpane, Kansas City Star, 1 Aug. 2026
Each has turned that necessity into an experience, a product category and a marketing language the C-suite can deploy far beyond sport.

— Lilian Raji, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026

Definition of turn

Adjective

This is a standard procedure for unnatural deaths in Jackson County, not necessarily an indication that a crime was committed or is suspected.

— James Powel, USA Today, 22 July 2026
The Victorian era was awash in handwringing about the loss of male vigor (some of which was blamed on the unnatural intellectual pursuits of women).

— Elizabeth Dray, STAT, 21 July 2026

Definition of unnatural

Noun

But while his recent albums with Tony Seltzer and Subjxct 5 resurfaced some of the dynamism brought by Sporting Life during his younger years as the fire-breathing degenerate who tied Ratking together, that energy takes a backseat here.

— Lei Takanashi, Pitchfork, 16 June 2026
Now playback all the degenerate, violent entertainment Julianne has happily participated in throughout her career.

— Lori A Bashian, FOXNews.com, 17 May 2026

Definition of degenerate

Verb

If the answer swings on how the question was phrased, the model is not measuring anything about the match.

— Boaz Sobrado, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026
Out in the clean air, this pointer swung away from the compass to aim at the plume’s edge, several seconds before the fly physically turned to head back.

— Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 1 Aug. 2026

Definition of swing

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“Deviate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deviate. Accessed 5 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of deviate

adjective

noun

verb

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