1
as in cunning
clever at attaining one's ends by indirect and often deceptive means
we always left it to our most devious friends to find out the latest information
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in twisted
marked by a long series of irregular curves
a devious trail through the swampland
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in unnatural
departing from some accepted standard of what is normal
her behavior is devious because of a developmental disorder
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of devious
After thinking about the weighty matter, the vendor comes up with a clever or perhaps devious plan.
—
Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 17 May 2026
Adam’s devious plan and meddling soon sets everything, and everyone, spiraling out of control.
—Pete Hammond, Deadline, 14 May 2026
The tension between the couple, contrasted with their joint antagonism towards the devious narrator, is hilarious.
—Rima Parikh, Vulture, 10 May 2026
The characters are eccentric, devious and mysterious.
—Bobby Burack Outkick, FOXNews.com, 7 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for devious
Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 17 May 2026
Adam’s devious plan and meddling soon sets everything, and everyone, spiraling out of control.
—Pete Hammond, Deadline, 14 May 2026
The tension between the couple, contrasted with their joint antagonism towards the devious narrator, is hilarious.
—Rima Parikh, Vulture, 10 May 2026
The characters are eccentric, devious and mysterious.
—Bobby Burack Outkick, FOXNews.com, 7 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for devious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for devious
Adjective
-
Daemon is one of the most clever, cunning and conniving characters in House of the Dragon, who always seems to have the upper hand.—
Skyler Trepel,
PEOPLE,
22 June 2026
-
Under this light, Penelope emerges as exemplary, cunning, wounded, and trapped by the male order that praises her.—
David Denby,
New Yorker,
21 June 2026
Adjective
-
Since launching in 2022, Twisted Greek has become a favorite at Southwest Ohio food festivals for its twisted takes on traditional Greek cuisine.—
USA TODAY Network,
USA Today,
19 June 2026
-
Hathaway looked effortlessly chic in her white skirt and twisted cropped blouse with nods to her iconic Gap shirt dress by Zac Posen.—
Emily Tannenbaum,
Glamour,
19 June 2026
Adjective
-
The problem is, mainstream science and society have been slow to move away from the narrative that all animals copulate only for reproduction, any same-sex activity is purely anomalous (and unnatural), and every species is male-dominated.—
Rachel Brodsky,
Rolling Stone,
20 June 2026
-
While there are certain products that can be used across different hair textures, lengths, curl patterns, thicknesses, colors (natural and unnatural), and needs, hair products are often created with specific consumers in mind.—
Jailynn Taylor,
Allure,
13 June 2026
Adjective
-
Serve this sweet-and-spicy salad with your favorite cute cocktail picks for a fresh-and-fun summer appetizer.—
Lisa Cericola,
Southern Living,
20 June 2026
-
Baby raccoons, for example, are very cute, but their mother may have made a den in the attic, crawl space, or shed, which can be bad for them and for the homeowner.—
Michelle Mastro,
Martha Stewart,
20 June 2026
Adjective
-
From $561 per night. Perks: Saltwater pool and spa, king beds in all rooms, piano, fire pit At the top of a long and winding drive awaits Le Petite Retreat.—
Jessica Cherner,
Architectural Digest,
5 June 2026
-
Said Rahmani often compared his life story to the plot of Paulo Coelho’s novel The Alchemist, in which a young shepherd sets off on a long and winding journey to find his treasure, only to learn that it was buried near his home all along.—
Bozorgmehr Sharafedin,
The Atlantic,
1 June 2026
Adjective
-
Terms such as ‘elevated,’ 'high risk,’ 'abnormal,’ or ‘critical’ can be unsettling when presented without context.—
Malana VanTyler,
USA Today,
17 June 2026
-
Traffic on the Pike was not abnormal in any way.—
Mike Sullivan,
CBS News,
16 June 2026
Adjective
-
Star power takes a neutral cat-eye base and turns it into a subtle statement moment.—
Amanda Le,
InStyle,
17 June 2026
-
Where their Florida style is bold and flamboyant, the ranch is subtle and defined by a rich, earthy palette.—
Elizabeth Kiefer,
Architectural Digest,
17 June 2026
Adjective
-
The base of the legs is stitched with a tulip hem for a dressier look and a curved silhouette.—
Caley Sturgill,
Southern Living,
20 June 2026
-
This curved gaming monitor sports a 1000R curve that helps you get immersed in your gameplay by wrapping around your peripheral vision.—
George Yang,
PC Magazine,
19 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Devious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/devious. Accessed 25 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
