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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
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
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
Dallas News, 14 July 2022
Helmet Technology is Improving For decades, helmet design didn’t deviate from this basic blueprint.
—Rena Kingery, Discover Magazine, 16 June 2022
Riley Jones, Footwear News, 13 Oct. 2025
Occurring more than halfway through the performance, the scene is used to introduce the tragic backstory of the Phantom character at a freak show — a new narrative deviating from the original source material.
—Devon Ivie, Vulture, 10 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for 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
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
Helmet Technology is Improving For decades, helmet design didn’t deviate from this basic blueprint.
—Rena Kingery, Discover Magazine, 16 June 2022
Verb
Using the black nubuck base seen on 1990s looks including the black/red Playoffs and the Aqua colorway, the early 2000s Chrome look deviated from the colorful accents seen on those styles.
—Riley Jones, Footwear News, 13 Oct. 2025
Occurring more than halfway through the performance, the scene is used to introduce the tragic backstory of the Phantom character at a freak show — a new narrative deviating from the original source material.
—Devon Ivie, Vulture, 10 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for deviate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deviate
Adjective
-
There were also some abnormal college experiences.—
Clare Mulroy,
USA Today,
21 Oct. 2025
-
This abnormal crash rate was reported by Buckrail and Jackson Hole News and Guide.—
Owen Clarke,
Outside,
20 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The Gooneral’s attendees didn’t care that Malone was, from all available evidence, not a gooner at all but rather an unaffiliated, lone-wolf pervert.—
Daniel Kolitz,
Harpers Magazine,
24 Oct. 2025
-
Boiled down to a thoughtless pervert by the public, Six became one.—
Alison Foreman,
IndieWire,
21 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Take a cue from Gal Gadot and scroll on for more sweater vests that will turn your fall layers into a Wonder Woman-worthy outfit.—
Jeaneen Russell,
PEOPLE,
22 Oct. 2025
-
Anastasia Soare is turning heads and raising brows.—
Emily Burns,
Footwear News,
21 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
These techniques can sometimes feel unnatural.—
Christine Buzan,
CNBC,
22 Oct. 2025
-
Drafting in English and translating often produces stilted, unnatural messages.—
Adam Mills,
MSNBC Newsweek,
21 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Once Gacy is caught, the media runs with the details — all those bodies crammed in that crawlspace, some of them buried in trenches Gacy made his employees dig out — and paints his victims as runaways or degenerates who put themselves in danger.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
16 Oct. 2025
-
Created by Rob Mac (formerly McElhenney, who also plays the character Mac), the Emmy-deserving series premiered 20 years ago on Aug. 4, 2005, introducing the world to a gang of morally bankrupt degenerates running the least successful bar in Philly, Paddy's Pub.—
James Mercadante,
EW.com,
4 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Parsons signed a multiyear extension upon arrival and has already produced game‑changing pressure and splash plays that helped swing the second half in Pittsburgh, giving the Packers a top-tier pass rush to pair with Love’s ascending offense.—
Rowan Fisher-Shotton,
MSNBC Newsweek,
27 Oct. 2025
-
When not in use, the flaps swing open, allowing the soldier to listen normally.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
26 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
To accommodate the crabs' safe journey to the sea, Christmas Island residents typically keep rakes and leaf blowers in their cars to help the crustaceans on their way, the outlet reported.—
Rachel Raposas,
PEOPLE,
22 Oct. 2025
-
And while this means stunning foliage, many Wisconsinites have also likely broken out their rakes or leaf blowers to keep their properties clean.—
Cailey Gleeson,
jsonline.com,
22 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Only recently did their stories diverge.—
Omar Jimenez,
CNN Money,
26 Oct. 2025
-
The key people in Haiti hold diverging views on whether to maintain or modify the current transitional governance arrangement, Guterres said.—
Jacqueline Charles,
Miami Herald,
22 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Deviate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deviate. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share