abweichende

Abweichende is a German adjective and the present-participle form of the verb abweichen, meaning to deviate or differ from a standard, norm, plan, or expectation. The word is used to describe something that does not conform to what is typical or expected, such as opinions, results, or behaviors.

As an attributive adjective, abweichende precedes a noun and its endings vary with gender, number, and case. After a definite article in singular, it typically takes -e (der abweichende Mann, die abweichende Meinung, das abweichende Ergebnis). In plural with a definite article it takes -en (die abweichenden Ergebnisse). With indefinite articles or no article, strong endings apply (ein abweichender Befund; abweichende Werte). The usage can cover both neutral or subtle forms of deviation and more pronounced nonconformity, depending on context.

In practice, abweichende appears across many fields. In statistics and data analysis, it commonly describes data points that diverge from a model or trend, often translated as deviant or outlying values (abweichende Werte). In science, law, and social sciences, it can characterize interpretations, observations, or opinions that differ from a reference standard—e.g., eine abweichende Rechtsauffassung. The noun form of deviation is Abweichung; the related noun Abweichungen denotes deviations in general.

Etymology traces abweichende to abweichen (to deviate) with the participial suffix -ende, reflecting its role as an adjective derived from a verb meaning to turn away from a standard.