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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in twisted
marked by a long series of irregular curves
a devious trail through the swampland
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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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of devious
Sporting a bushy salt-and-pepper beard and a world-weary look in his eyes, Pearce finds dimensions both tragic and devious in what could have been merely the stock character of the wily long-term inmate whose isolation has cost him his humanity.
—
David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 10 June 2025
This devious little oddity served up a different story each week, a tradition best associated with The Twilight Zone and The Outer Limits.
—Declan Gallagher, EW.com, 3 July 2025
This comedic musical tale about ambition, love, family and devious murder plots will have playgoers gasping with laughter and reveling in its lively, imaginative score.
—News Release, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 July 2025
Enthralling and sleekly devious, this book is also a lyrical reflection on both the origin and the fate of our species.
—Gabrielle Bellot, Literary Hub, 27 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for devious
David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 10 June 2025
This devious little oddity served up a different story each week, a tradition best associated with The Twilight Zone and The Outer Limits.
—Declan Gallagher, EW.com, 3 July 2025
This comedic musical tale about ambition, love, family and devious murder plots will have playgoers gasping with laughter and reveling in its lively, imaginative score.
—News Release, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 July 2025
Enthralling and sleekly devious, this book is also a lyrical reflection on both the origin and the fate of our species.
—Gabrielle Bellot, Literary Hub, 27 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for devious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for devious
Adjective
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Honest Abe is forced to scheme, relying on grit and cunning to win the votes to abolish slavery.—
EW Staff Published,
EW.com,
4 July 2025
-
Of all the acts, though, Sudanese American vocalist Dua Saleh was the most subdued, swaying between heart-fluttering falsettos and cunning raps.—
Olivier Lafontant,
Pitchfork,
27 June 2025
Adjective
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And German actor Max Hopp, who has become something of a Tevye specialist, is able to carry this enormous production, even as he is twisted and bruised trying to accommodate the turbulent times around him.—
David Lyman,
The Enquirer,
25 July 2025
-
The film Eddington inspires an uncomfortable empathy for its most twisted character.—
David Sims,
The Atlantic,
23 July 2025
Adjective
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While some can be used across different hair textures, lengths, curl patterns, thicknesses, colors (natural and unnatural), and concerns, many are created with specific consumers and their needs in mind.—
Angela Trakoshis,
Allure,
11 July 2025
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Even if that means stepping into a version of themselves that feels unnatural.—
Vibhas Ratanjee,
Forbes.com,
11 July 2025
Adjective
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Make lunchtime fun again with the help of a cute and colorful bento box or a fun, interactive lunch box.—
Nora Colomer
may earn a commission if you buy through our referral links. This content was created by a team that works independently from the Fox newsroom.,
FOXNews.com,
30 July 2025
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The moment in which Guy and Nan reunite at the courthouse and mirror each other on a staircase and over a railing, respectively, is reminiscent of their meet cute in Season 1.—
Dessi Gomez,
Deadline,
30 July 2025
Adjective
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In addition, the watch has a stop-second function, which halts the balance wheel and seconds hand when the winding crown is pulled out, allowing for precise time adjustments.—
Anthony DeMarco,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2025
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The crash occurred on U.S. Highway 90 about 30 miles outside of New Orleans — on a winding, narrow stretch of the two-lane highway known as the Old Spanish Trail, per The Salina Journal.—
Lynsey Eidell,
People.com,
29 June 2025
Adjective
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This mutation produces an abnormal transthyretin (TTR) protein that misfolds and forms amyloid deposits in the heart.—
Patty Weasler,
Verywell Health,
14 July 2025
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Retinopathy of prematurity is an eye disease that impacts premature babies and occurs when there is abnormal growth of the blood vessels in the retina.—
Ramal Nasim
Updated July 14,
Kansas City Star,
14 July 2025
Adjective
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Climate change continues to have a profound impact on the Great Lakes region, bringing more extreme weather, declining fish populations, and subtle but profound economic transformation.—
Caitlin Looby,
jsonline.com,
24 July 2025
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The combination adds layers of flavor and a subtle edge, giving the salsa the same flavor profile as a spicy version without any burn.—
Gabi De la Rosa,
Southern Living,
24 July 2025
Adjective
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Their target area was unusual, though: a strip of lawn between the road and a fence bordering Interstate 65, where homeless people have set up about two dozen tents over the first half of this year.—
Jordan Smith,
IndyStar,
26 July 2025
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Summer storms cause travel headaches every year, but these numbers are not unusual.—
Zach Wichter,
USA Today,
26 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Devious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/devious. Accessed 4 Aug. 2025.
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