Social Deviance Vocabulary

noun a person who renounces a religious or political belief or principle

adjective pertaining to or characteristic of an apostate

• The apostate was excommunicated from the church for renouncing their faith.
• I heard Sarah was labeled an apostate for leaving the religious group.
• Don't trust him, he's a total apostate when it comes to sticking to his word.
• In the world of politics, switching parties can brand you as an apostate among your former colleagues.

noun an action or omission that constitutes an offense that may be prosecuted by the state and is punishable by law

• The suspect was charged with committing a serious crime.
• I can't believe he got away with that crime!
• She's always up to some shady crime.
• Ignoring climate change is a crime against future generations.

noun open resistance; bold disobedience

adjective defiant (describes a person or behavior characterized by defiance)

• The student showed defiance by refusing to follow the school's dress code.
• She rolled her eyes in defiance when her mom told her to clean her room.
• The teenager's defiance was off the charts when he was told he couldn't go to the party.
• The artist's use of bold colors was a form of defiance against traditional painting techniques.

adjective not conforming to accepted standards of morality; not ethical or virtuous

• Engaging in fraudulent activities is considered immoral in the business world.
• Cheating on a test is just plain immoral.
• Stealing from your friends is totally shady and immoral.
• Ignoring the suffering of others is the height of moral bankruptcy, truly immoral.