departure from the norm
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
British ambassadors are usually career diplomats, but in a departure from the norm, Lord Mandelson was a politician and businessman when he was appointed to the top diplomatic role in Washington.
From BBC • Mar. 11, 2026
In what was largely a departure from the norm, he also played to the Republicans in attendance, goading them into peeved responses that he could then meet with a confident camaraderie:
From Slate • Feb. 8, 2023
But it's already abundantly clear that Europe just experienced a severe departure from the norm.
From Salon • Jan. 5, 2023
The involuntary manslaughter charges filed in Michigan against James and Jennifer Crumbley made international headlines because the decision was such a departure from the norm.
From Seattle Times • Jul. 7, 2022
In old days an anomaly was called πάθος, and in this sense every departure from the norm is for me a pathological event.
From Studies in the Psychology of Sex, Volume 2 Sexual Inversion by Ellis, Havelock