What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
abnormalcies
Example
The doctor detected some abnormalcies in the patient's blood test results. [abnormalcies: noun]
Example
Her behavior was marked by a series of abnormalcies that concerned her friends. [abnormalcies: plural noun]
deviation
Example
The company noticed a deviation from their usual sales figures this quarter. [deviation: noun]
Example
He deviated from the script during his speech and added some personal anecdotes. [deviated: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Deviation is more commonly used than abnormalcies in everyday language. Deviation is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while abnormalcies is less common and refers to a specific type of departure from the norm.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between abnormalcies and deviation?
Both abnormalcies and deviation are formal words that are often used in scientific or technical contexts. However, deviation is more versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.