DEVIATION Synonyms: 11 Similar and Opposite Words

deviation

noun

ˌdē-vē-ˈā-shən

Definition of deviation

as in departure

a turning away from a course or standard a memoir that was discovered to contain numerous deviations from fact

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

adherence

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 deviation Now, doctors get your latest cycle phase, symptoms, sleep score, steps and temperature deviation sent straight to their clinical dashboards so your stats are all in one place. — Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 23 July 2026 In short, despite occasional deviations from the script, most foundations have lacked expiration dates. — Thomas Adam, The Conversation, 16 July 2026 City staff recommended approving the plan with a deviation from the usual rules to allow for the 10-ft decorative fence. — Dylan Lysen, Kansas City Star, 15 July 2026 There are also significant deviations from US civilian law, said law professor Joshua Kastenberg on The Conversation. — Will Barker, TheWeek, 8 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for deviation

Recent Examples of Synonyms for deviation

Noun

Stribling has impressed during training camp and could have a significant role as a slot receiver following the departure of Jauan Jennings in free agency to the Minnesota Vikings.

— Chris Biderman, Sacbee.com, 31 July 2026
This is, of course, a significant departure from Tony Blair’s aim of creating a modern workforce that was largely university-educated.

— Roger Trapp, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026

Definition of departure

Noun

While art lovers and adrenaline enthusiasts will love this detour, everyone will appreciate the peaceful setting at the end of the day.

— Kelsey Mulvey, Vogue, 3 Aug. 2026
The passing of 30 years has only enhanced the appeal of the group’s Nashville detour, shifting attention from the incongruity of Ween cutting a country record to the joyous chemistry between these old pros and young punks.

— Stephen Thomas Erlewine, Pitchfork, 1 Aug. 2026

Definition of detour

Noun

Watch vessel-level AIS tracking data for the Gibraltar corridor itself, the kind of transit-time and vessel-count monitoring the IMF's PortWatch initiative already runs, for any early divergence from the roughly 300-vessels-per-day baseline.

— Frank Ahrens, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026
But the dramatic divergence of the new measurement from the detector’s own past results, along with the collaboration’s claim of high precision, made the situation hard to ignore.

— Matt von Hippel, Quanta Magazine, 29 July 2026

Definition of divergence

Browse Nearby Words

deviating

deviation

deviations

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Cite this Entry

Style

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

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Synonyms of deviation

noun

Example Sentences

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