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
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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
Carl Engelking, Discover Magazine, 10 June 2016
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
Anna Commander, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 July 2025
Instead, the Olympian’s attention deviated to the officer’s appearance.
—Caroline Price, Forbes.com, 9 July 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
The map shows how far the night skies in different parts of the world deviate from natural sky brightness.
—Carl Engelking, Discover Magazine, 10 June 2016
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
Musk's threat to back the unseating of officeholders deviating from fiscal conservatism raises questions about grassroots accountability, donor influence and the enduring sway of Trump within GOP ranks.
—Anna Commander, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 July 2025
Instead, the Olympian’s attention deviated to the officer’s appearance.
—Caroline Price, Forbes.com, 9 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for deviate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deviate
Adjective
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Retinopathy of prematurity is an eye disease that impacts premature babies and occurs when there is abnormal growth of the blood vessels in the retina.—
Ramal Nasim
Updated July 14,
Kansas City Star,
14 July 2025
-
This mutation produces an abnormal transthyretin (TTR) protein that misfolds and forms amyloid deposits in the heart.—
Patty Weasler,
Verywell Health,
14 July 2025
Noun
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What follows is a floor-by-floor descent into madness as Bobby battles bloodthirsty perverts, demonic flash mobs, and hallucinogenic suburban nightmares, all while trying to figure out if he’s meant to be the hero… or just the last guy standing.—
Andreas Wiseman,
Deadline,
14 July 2025
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Special-guest pervert Frank (Sam Rockwell) showcases a monologue about his autogynephilia.—
Armond White,
National Review,
9 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Then, as the century turned, the boys were pushed aside by rough young men.—
Julian Lucas,
New Yorker,
15 July 2025
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But the show has also increasingly thrived on the odd-couple chemistry between co-creator Downs, who plays Hollywood’s gentlest manager, and breakout star Stalter as his assistant turned partner.—
Judy Berman,
Time,
15 July 2025
Adjective
-
While some can be used across different hair textures, lengths, curl patterns, thicknesses, colors (natural and unnatural), and concerns, many are created with specific consumers and their needs in mind.—
Angela Trakoshis,
Allure,
11 July 2025
-
Even if that means stepping into a version of themselves that feels unnatural.—
Vibhas Ratanjee,
Forbes.com,
11 July 2025
Noun
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Novak: The fact that this group of degenerates, these bloodsucking, mass-murdering vampires and wannabe vampires, [could be] so lovable is amazing.—
Michael Ordoña,
Los Angeles Times,
28 May 2025
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Those who hold advanced degrees in mathematics and analytics, or your favorite degenerate gambler, know any piece of datum is only reliant on the trove of data that occurred previously.—
Bill Speros,
Boston Herald,
7 May 2025
Verb
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Never did Nick Kurtz consider this, not as a young boy learning to swing left-handed in Lancaster, Pa., or during the charmed collegiate career that catapulted him into baseball’s consciousness.—
Chandler Rome,
New York Times,
26 July 2025
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Bleacher Report's Zachary Rymer recently suggested the Houston Astros could swing a blockbuster trade deadline deal for Miami Marlins hurler Edward Cabrera in the coming days.—
Zach Pressnell,
MSNBC Newsweek,
26 July 2025
Noun
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It is generally ground to a relatively uniform particle size and spreads fairly easily with a rake or mulch fork.—
Paul Cappiello,
The Courier-Journal,
2 July 2025
-
With a rake! Damn, Joy really does not seem to be all that into Miranda.—
Emma Specter,
Vogue,
20 June 2025
Verb
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If not for our nation’s First Amendment, our country could quickly resemble a despotism where police forces attack reporters and quash news reports that diverge from the official view.—
The Editorial Board,
Oc Register,
15 July 2025
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The groups may have diverged from each other about 130 million years ago, during the early Cretaceous period, the researchers said.—
Julia Jacobo,
ABC News,
14 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Deviate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deviate. Accessed 30 Jul. 2025.
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