C2adjectiveformalpsychologysociety
US/ˈdiː.vi.ənt/
UK/ˈdiː.vi.ənt/
different from what most people think is normal or acceptable, especially in behavior
In context
The study looks at why some teenagers develop deviant behavior.
In the past, being left-handed was seen as deviant in some schools.
Sociologists study how societies decide what counts as deviant.
Words that go with deviant
adjective + noun
- deviant behaviorPoverty alone does not explain deviant behavior among young people.
- deviant actsThe report records deviant acts such as vandalism and theft.
- deviant groupsSome online forums allow deviant groups to spread harmful ideas.
- deviant subcultureThe film explores a deviant subculture of illegal street racers.
adverb + adjective
- socially deviantTattoos were once considered socially deviant in Vietnam.