as in tendency
a habitual attraction to some activity or thing
left to her own devices she'd eat at a fast-food restaurant every night of the week
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Recent Examples of devices
At one point, Jessie befriends a gang of tech toys that includes a low-tech potty-training product named Smarty Pants, along with GPS and camera devices Atlas and Snappy.
—
Rachel Hale,
USA Today,
26 June 2026
The suspects arrested allegedly planned to target senior government officials with small, armed drones; no devices were launched.
—
Larry Seward,
CBS News,
26 June 2026
The massive demand for cooling devices underscores the shift in European consumer behavior as countries grapple with profound climate changes.
—
CNN Money,
26 June 2026
Furthermore, a next-generation Galaxy Ring is confirmed, focusing on software differentiation and hinting at broader compatibility, potentially including iOS, to expand its reach in the evolving wearable health market, blurring the line between consumer tech and medical devices.
—
David Phelan,
Forbes.com,
25 June 2026
Nielsen’s streaming ratings cover viewing on TV sets only and don’t include minutes watched on computers or mobile devices.
—
Rick Porter,
HollywoodReporter,
25 June 2026
Although some communities still have this old-fashioned check-in system, a growing number of neighborhoods now rely on high-tech security equipment, using artificial intelligence and other new devices, to ensure visitors have permission to enter.
—
Lois K. Solomon,
Sun Sentinel,
25 June 2026
Uneven 6-GHz policies can make Wi-Fi and smartphone devices more difficult and more expensive to design and develop, says Fellah, and Wi-Fi vendors are already being forced to ship multiple hardware variants, raising manufacturing costs.
—
Stephen Cousins,
IEEE Spectrum,
25 June 2026
Critically, the new Mevion system fits in treatment rooms holding conventional X-ray radiation devices, which are common in the Bay Area and nationally.
—
Grant Stringer,
Mercury News,
18 June 2026
Rachel Hale,
USA Today,
26 June 2026
The suspects arrested allegedly planned to target senior government officials with small, armed drones; no devices were launched.
—
Larry Seward,
CBS News,
26 June 2026
The massive demand for cooling devices underscores the shift in European consumer behavior as countries grapple with profound climate changes.
—
CNN Money,
26 June 2026
Furthermore, a next-generation Galaxy Ring is confirmed, focusing on software differentiation and hinting at broader compatibility, potentially including iOS, to expand its reach in the evolving wearable health market, blurring the line between consumer tech and medical devices.
—
David Phelan,
Forbes.com,
25 June 2026
Nielsen’s streaming ratings cover viewing on TV sets only and don’t include minutes watched on computers or mobile devices.
—
Rick Porter,
HollywoodReporter,
25 June 2026
Although some communities still have this old-fashioned check-in system, a growing number of neighborhoods now rely on high-tech security equipment, using artificial intelligence and other new devices, to ensure visitors have permission to enter.
—
Lois K. Solomon,
Sun Sentinel,
25 June 2026
Uneven 6-GHz policies can make Wi-Fi and smartphone devices more difficult and more expensive to design and develop, says Fellah, and Wi-Fi vendors are already being forced to ship multiple hardware variants, raising manufacturing costs.
—
Stephen Cousins,
IEEE Spectrum,
25 June 2026
Critically, the new Mevion system fits in treatment rooms holding conventional X-ray radiation devices, which are common in the Bay Area and nationally.
—
Grant Stringer,
Mercury News,
18 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for devices
Noun
-
At its most fundamental, leadership exists because humans are simultaneously competitive and cooperative — and the balance between these two tendencies determines everything.
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Even the most memorable new character, Forky (Tony Hale)—an endearingly daffy piece of plastic cutlery with a tendency toward self-harm—could only reinforce the sense that we were being served a load of flimsy, disposable goods.
Noun
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The future of talent acquisition will require hiring more for aptitude, adaptability and leadership potential—and less for perfectly linear résumés.
-
The North Korean players’ physical aptitude was clear, but coaches were aware of their technical and tactical shortcomings.
Noun
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Burdette, leveraging his brother’s connections with college athletes, and his natural inclination to bring the party, had recruited agents who were younger and more fun than Pughsley’s original crowd.
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Choosing a college major has always felt like a big life decision, influenced by not only personal inclinations and talents, but also by starting salaries—new engineering and computer science grads earn more than those with English degrees.
Noun
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In her memoir, Andrews mentions that her children briefly attended UCLA Lab School and that Joanna had affinities for horseback riding and reading.
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Multiple studies show consumers report stronger brand affinity and higher purchase intent after attending in-person activations.
Noun
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Ortega felt plenty comfortable showing affection to her beloved pet, Brady, a Chihuahua mix.
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The old apparatuses of affection remained between us, however obsolete.
Noun
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The pair described childhood bedrooms covered in surf magazine cutouts and boards decorated with stickers in imitation of pro riders, calling the capsule a nod to that same impulse to live inside surf culture even when not in the water.
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That storytelling impulse extends beyond the restaurant floor into Spooky Wine Society, a personal project built around horror, community and shared experience.
Noun
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The disposition in that case was not immediately clear.
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Change the leader themselves — their behaviours, their habits, their dispositions.
Cite this Entry
“Devices.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/devices. Accessed 26 Jun. 2026.
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