What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
deviancy
Example
The psychologist studied the deviancy of the patient's behavior. [deviancy: noun]
Example
The school counselor worked with students who displayed deviancy in their actions. [deviancy: noun]
deviance
Example
The sociologist studied the deviance of the group's behavior. [deviance: noun]
Example
The company's decision to cut corners was seen as a deviance from ethical business practices. [deviance: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Deviance is more commonly used than deviancy in everyday language. Deviance is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while deviancy is less common and is often used in academic or technical contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between deviancy and deviance?
Both deviancy and deviance can be used in formal and informal contexts. However, deviancy may be more formal due to its less common usage and technical connotation.
