deviationism: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Formal, Political, Historical
Quick answer
What does “deviationism” mean?
A political theory or practice which departs from the established orthodox line, especially in Marxist-Leninist doctrine.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A political theory or practice which departs from the established orthodox line, especially in Marxist-Leninist doctrine.
The advocacy of, or tendency towards, policies that deviate from a prescribed or orthodox ideological position, often used pejoratively within a political group to label dissent.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant spelling or usage difference. The term is equally rare in both variants and confined to specific political/historical discourse.
Connotations
Identical pejorative connotation in historical and political analysis contexts.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in general language. Its use is almost entirely historical, referring to 20th-century communist politics.
Grammar
How to Use “deviationism” in a Sentence
accuse [someone] of deviationismcondemn [something] as deviationismstruggle against deviationismlabel [a policy] deviationismVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “deviationism” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The faction was expelled for deviating from the party's core tenets.
- He was accused of deviating towards bourgeois nationalism.
American English
- The group was purged for deviating from the established line.
- They were charged with deviating from Marxist-Leninist principles.
adverb
British English
- [No standard adverbial form. 'Deviationistically' is non-existent.]
American English
- [No standard adverbial form. 'Deviationistically' is non-existent.]
adjective
British English
- His deviationist views led to his expulsion from the political group.
- The committee issued a report condemning the deviationist tendency.
American English
- The party leadership denounced the deviationist faction.
- She was criticised for her deviationist interpretation of the theory.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in political science, history, and ideological studies to analyse intra-party conflicts, especially in communist movements.
Everyday
Virtually never used.
Technical
Term of art in Marxist-Leninist polemics and historical analysis of 20th-century politics.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “deviationism”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “deviationism”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “deviationism”
- Using it as a general synonym for 'deviance' (which is social/behavioural) or 'deviation' (which is statistical). Confusing it with 'revisionism', which is a specific type of ideological deviation focused on reinterpreting core doctrine.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a very rare and specialised term. Its use is almost entirely confined to historical or academic discussions about 20th-century communist politics and ideological disputes.
Both are pejorative terms within Marxist discourse. 'Revisionism' specifically implies altering or rejecting fundamental principles of the doctrine. 'Deviationism' is a broader term for any departure from the currently accepted party line, which could be to the left or right.
Extremely rarely. It was coined and used as a term of condemnation. In modern academic analysis, it might be used descriptively but still carries the historical connotation of being an accusation.
'Deviationist' is the related adjective and noun. It describes a person or idea that practises or embodies deviationism (e.g., 'a deviationist faction', 'he was a known deviationist').
A political theory or practice which departs from the established orthodox line, especially in Marxist-Leninist doctrine.
Deviationism is usually formal, political, historical in register.
Deviationism: in British English it is pronounced /ˌdiːvɪˈeɪʃənɪz(ə)m/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌdiviˈeɪʃənɪzəm/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No common idioms for this specific noun]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: DEVIATION from the main 'ism' (ideology). A person is accused of deviating from the official party line.
Conceptual Metaphor
IDEOLOGY IS A PATH/ROAD; deviationism is straying from the correct path.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the term 'deviationism' MOST appropriately used?