deviate 1 of 3

Definition of deviatenext

deviate

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noun

deviate

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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
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
Extra padding on the tongue and collar blow up the proportions of the silhouette, while a suede, mesh and leather upper deviates from the typical leather build. Ian Servantes, Footwear News, 16 June 2026 In 2023, Middleton deviated from her usual pastels in an emerald green ensemble. Ariel Wodarcyk, InStyle, 13 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for deviate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deviate
Adjective
  • Haney reminded jurors that despising the rich isn’t a crime, much less an abnormal opinion.
    Brittny Mejia, Los Angeles Times, 24 June 2026
  • Others develop dangerous fluctuations in blood pressure and abnormal heart rhythms because the autonomic nervous system becomes affected.
    Faye Chiu, CNN Money, 23 June 2026
Noun
  • Nora Ephron for depressed perverts.
    Antonia Blyth, Deadline, 16 Feb. 2026
  • You are being spied on by a pervert.
    Jay Ruttenberg, New Yorker, 11 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Atlanta experts in fitness and nutrition say the World Cup offers a rare opportunity for people to turn inspiration into action.
    Nancy Badertscher, AJC.com, 29 June 2026
  • The values imparted to me throughout my public school education — equal opportunity, impartial justice, respect for expertise, basic honesty — have been abandoned by a new breed of politician that has turned governance itself into a blood sport.
    Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 29 June 2026
Adjective
  • Even after extensive engineering, Coach Eve would take about three seconds to reply to a question—a delay users felt was uncomfortable and unnatural.
    Benjamin Wolff, Forbes.com, 29 June 2026
  • His speech was an unnatural blur.
    Paige Williams, New Yorker, 22 June 2026
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
Verb
  • Any behavior requires a coordinated action across the brain—swing a baseball bat, complete a math problem—and the more the action is repeated, the more the associated neural pathways will strengthen.
    James Davis, Forbes.com, 26 June 2026
  • Ryan returned the favor in the fourth, getting Dalton Rushing, Freeland and Ohtani to all swing and miss.
    Jess Myers, Twin Cities, 25 June 2026
Noun
  • Red Cross volunteers handed out supplies such as gloves, rakes, tarps, and more to homeowners.
    Lauren Victory, CBS News, 26 June 2026
  • Just sprinkle them around the base of your plants and scratch them into the soil with a hand rake or your fingers.
    Lauren Landers, The Spruce, 24 June 2026
Verb
  • Lombardo has taken healthcare stances in his first term that diverge from the typical Republican playbook.
    Jazmin Orozco Rodriguez, CBS News, 22 June 2026
  • Executive vice president of basketball operations Bryson Graham has given no indication that the Bulls will look to diverge from this top four, which means the Bulls will land the final member of this group on Tuesday.
    Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 22 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Deviate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deviate. Accessed 3 Jul. 2026.

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