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The "Lost" History of Devious
If you think someone devious has lost their way, you're right, etymologically speaking—the word derives from the Latin adjective devius, itself formed from the prefix de- ("from" or "away") and the noun via ("way"). When devious was first used in the 16th century, it implied a literal wandering off the way, suggesting something that meandered or had no fixed course (as in "a devious route" or "devious breezes"). Relatively quickly, however, the word came to describe someone or something that had left the right path metaphorically rather than literally, or to describe deceitful rather than straightforward behavior.
Examples of devious in a Sentence
Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 28 Aug. 2025
Slaveholders were clever and devious along with evil.
—Chadd Scott, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2025
LeBlanc’s character Michael, like Bregman’s Lauren and Rikaart’s Kevin, also started on the show as a more devious figure.
—Victoria Edel, People.com, 27 Aug. 2025
Following a confrontational luncheon, the Baroness, who by now has been revealed to be a devious conwoman, attempts to drive a rift between the Wittmers and the Ritters by convincing her lovers, Rudy and Robert, to trick Heinz into shooting Dore's beloved donkey.
—EW.com, 22 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for devious
Cite this Entry
“Devious.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/devious. Accessed 11 Sep. 2025.
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devious
adjective
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