deviancy

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

But this specific language about "deviancy" has never appeared in warnings.

From BBC • Feb. 21, 2026

The observation eventually spawned Erikson’s first book, “Wayward Puritans,” in 1966, which argued that deviancy can serve a positive function in social groups.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 18, 2025

Over the past several years, the regularity of this kind of behavior has resulted in what Pat Moynihan called "defining deviancy down."

From Salon • Sep. 11, 2023

I think a lot about the old phrase “defining deviancy down.”

From Seattle Times • Mar. 25, 2023

But once they did the result was sparkling music laced with a delicious dose of acerbic deviancy.

From New York Times • May 4, 2015