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

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

The fund is mandated by Norway’s Finance Ministry to closely track a benchmark index, with only limited scope to deviate through active management. — Bloomberg, Fortune, 12 Aug. 2026 My favorite thing about testing the F-150 Lightning was that the truck didn't deviate from Ford's winning F-Series formula. — Charles Singh, USA Today, 11 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for deviate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for deviate

Adjective

Until recently, diagnosing Alzheimer’s required a medical history and exam as well as postmortem evidence of two abnormal proteins associated with the disease called amyloid and tau.

— Anand Kumar, The Conversation, 26 Aug. 2026
The audit assistance tool, now a requirement by Flock Safety, flags abnormal use by officers.

— Mark Morales, CNN Money, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of abnormal

Noun

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
This blatant expression of fealty over objectivity perverts the process by choosing personal loyalists instead of independent public servants.

— Letters to the Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 5 Aug. 2026

Definition of pervert

Verb

After successful demonstration in ground and airborne trials, the company turned its attention to a GravNav, a system that senses changes in gravity fields.

— Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 28 Aug. 2026
There’s no better time to start turning your closet over for the season ahead.

— Kristina Rutkowski, Vogue, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of turn

Adjective

Her parents refuse to see that there is something unnatural about their new baby boy and that an evil other presence haunts their stately home.

— Tanya Fedak, Variety, 26 Aug. 2026
The researchers say the approach could help overcome limitations of existing humanoid control systems, which often require extensive fine-tuning or produce rigid, unnatural movements.

— Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 26 Aug. 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

Instead, the chief executive said Hilton's middle- and upper-middle segments have swung from posting negative numbers to growing at rates as high as 6%.

— Alex Harring, CNBC, 29 Aug. 2026
The Slingshot surges forward as the tach swings toward redline, the exhaust emitting a guttural howl.

— William Roberson, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of swing

Noun

The smells of jerk chicken, brats and hot dogs filled the air but the vibe of a festival quickly disappeared as attendees carried garden rakes, bleach and diapers.

— Carole Carlson, Chicago Tribune, 25 Aug. 2026
Tools and tool parts, including wrenches, chainsaw blades, rakes and sledgehammers also appear, along with electronics like smartphones, television cameras, radar apparatuses, video monitors and parts for manufacturing electronics.

— Zachary Folk, Forbes.com, 23 Aug. 2026

Definition of rake

Verb

The chipmaker could diverge against its recent pattern of seeing shares slide following earnings reports.

— Justina Lee,Alex Harring, CNBC, 26 Aug. 2026
Under Kennedy, vaccine skeptics have been elevated to prominent positions and public-health agencies have suppressed the publication of scientific reports that diverge from his preferred narrative.

— Dhruv Khullar, New Yorker, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of diverge

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“Deviate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deviate. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of deviate

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verb

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