deviate
to depart from a path, rule, or pattern
Roots
Other words with the via root
- impervious: not allowing anything through
- obviate: to make unnecessary by preventing or removing the need
- trivia: small facts or bits of minor information
- trivial: of little importance or too minor to matter
- via: by way of; through
De- pulls away and via gives way: deviate is to go off the way.
The essay deviated from the prompt after the first paragraph.