deviation

Straying from course

Deviation is departure from an expected path, standard, or norm.

A statistical deviation measures how far a data point falls from the average.

A deviation from protocol is a departure from established procedure.

The word implies a baseline against which variation is measured: Any deviation from the flight plan must be reported.

Sexual deviation once labeled non-normative practices, now largely replaced by less judgmental terms.

variation

difference

Way things contrast

discrepancyDifference between expected and actual
inconsistencyLack of steady pattern
fluctuationIrregular change over time

alteration · modification · shift · change · irregularity · divergence · disparity · differential · aberration · abnormality

error

inaccuracy

Lack of precision

miscalculationError in estimation
mistakeWrong action or decision
faultImperfection or blame

flaw · slip · discrepancy · misalignment · tolerance · off-target · imprecision · distortion · aberration · defect

physical

deflection

Change in trajectory

detourAlternate path around obstruction
divergenceSeparation from common origin
veeringChanging direction suddenly

swerve · reroute · bypass · bending · curving · diversion · redirection · tangent · offset · displacement

behavioral

nonconformity

Rejection of prevailing norms

transgressionViolation of law or code
misbehaviorImproper or unruly conduct
disobedienceRefusal to follow orders

misconduct · rebellion · defiance · unorthodox · unconventional · eccentricity · taboo · antisocial · subversion · dissent

statistical

outlier

Distant data point

anomalyDeparture from the expected
varianceSpread around the mean
dispersionScattering across space

spread · mean · norm · bell curve · distribution · sampling error · measurement error · margin of error · confidence interval · residual

moral

perversion

Corruption or deviant distortion

corruptionDishonest abuse of power
degeneracyMoral or physical decline
depravityProfound moral corruption

vice · sin · immorality · turpitude · wickedness · debauchery · licentiousness · profligacy · aberrance · decadence

Categories

Exceptionsexception, exemption, exclusion, special case, anomaly
nonconformitynonconformity, nonconformism, deviance, defiance, iconoclasm
Quality ControlQA, QC, calipers, micrometers, quality check
compass errorsvariation, magnetic variation, declination
real gasescritical point
alternate routesbypass, detour, alternate route, reroute, diversion

Opposites

conformity to norms

deviationconformity

Adherence to norms

adherence · compliance · obedience · orthodoxy · conventionality

consistency with a path or course

deviationstraightness

Absence of curvature

directness · alignment · straightforwardness · course · straight line

statistical/measurement regularity

deviationregularity

Consistent, predictable occurrence

normality · typicality · average · mean · central tendency

Phrases

standard deviationSpread around the mean

Family

deviating, undeviating, deviations, undeviatingly, standard deviation

Familiarity: Top 100,000
Profile: Used worldwide · Timeless · Abstract · Everyday, not technical · Rated G