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
Samsung says the sensor targets users who want professional-grade imaging from mobile devices.
—
Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 10 Jan. 2026
Speaking to gadgets is often faster than typing, but Amazon and Nirva also see their devices as another means to gather data that can provide insights about a user’s life, though doing so will surely raise privacy concerns.
—Lisa Eadicicco, CNN Money, 10 Jan. 2026
View gallery - 6 images There are a bunch of dedicated devices that literally lift the veil of darkness to reveal a secret nocturnal world.
—New Atlas, 9 Jan. 2026
Those dollars went to initiatives like purchasing imaging devices for Valley Med’s Burn Center that measure wounds and detect bacteria early, and establishing a grant program to help public school districts establish new wellness centers.
—Grace Hase, Mercury News, 9 Jan. 2026
These devices all share the idea that movement, recovery, and rest should work together, not in isolation.
—Kaitlyn Gomez, USA Today, 9 Jan. 2026
Surveillance footage released by the FBI showed a masked individual placing the devices, but authorities did not publicly identify a suspect until Cole’s arrest.
—Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 9 Jan. 2026
Some of these devices will cost a lot.
—Eric Sullivan, Scientific American, 9 Jan. 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, 6 Nov. 2025
Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 10 Jan. 2026
Speaking to gadgets is often faster than typing, but Amazon and Nirva also see their devices as another means to gather data that can provide insights about a user’s life, though doing so will surely raise privacy concerns.
—Lisa Eadicicco, CNN Money, 10 Jan. 2026
View gallery - 6 images There are a bunch of dedicated devices that literally lift the veil of darkness to reveal a secret nocturnal world.
—New Atlas, 9 Jan. 2026
Those dollars went to initiatives like purchasing imaging devices for Valley Med’s Burn Center that measure wounds and detect bacteria early, and establishing a grant program to help public school districts establish new wellness centers.
—Grace Hase, Mercury News, 9 Jan. 2026
These devices all share the idea that movement, recovery, and rest should work together, not in isolation.
—Kaitlyn Gomez, USA Today, 9 Jan. 2026
Surveillance footage released by the FBI showed a masked individual placing the devices, but authorities did not publicly identify a suspect until Cole’s arrest.
—Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 9 Jan. 2026
Some of these devices will cost a lot.
—Eric Sullivan, Scientific American, 9 Jan. 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, 6 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for devices
Noun
-
The brewery’s ball pit is meant to be an incisive commentary on our generation’s tendency to enjoy the trappings of adulthood—such as consuming alcohol—without fully committing to the responsibilities that are supposed to come with them, such as parenthood.—
Eddie Small,
New Yorker,
6 Jan. 2026
-
Trump’s economic management combines two theoretically incompatible tendencies.—
Gilad Edelman,
The Atlantic,
5 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
This aptitude for song and dance, combined with some friend-of-a-friend magic, was enough to get Taylor an audience with two people who would change her life.—
Mikey O'Connell,
HollywoodReporter,
5 Nov. 2025
-
Mount’s defensive aptitude proved important in keeping United compact throughout, regularly dropping into vacant spaces to slow down any nascent attacks.—
Carl Anka,
New York Times,
19 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The inclination to avoid that threshold already impacted Denver’s decision not to sign a rookie contract extension with Peyton Watson last month.—
Bennett Durando,
Denver Post,
7 Nov. 2025
-
Lin—whose early career at Zappos and mathematical inclinations molded him into an early backer of companies like Airbnb and DoorDash—has been at Sequoia since 2010.—
Allie Garfinkle,
Fortune,
4 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Democrats’ affinity for wolves increased, as did Republicans’ aversion.—
Justin Angle,
The Conversation,
6 Jan. 2026
-
Order Fresh Seafood from a Three-Generation Operation The town’s affinity for generational ownership goes beyond just the Greek population.—
Tara Massouleh McCay,
Southern Living,
4 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Leslie stars in the movie as Liz, a married mom and soon-to-be empty nester who audits a college poetry class and becomes a point of tension between seniors — and longtime best friends — Sam (Andrew Barth Feldman) and Ari (Cooper Hoffman), who both vie for her affections.—
Erin Clack,
PEOPLE,
9 Nov. 2025
-
Most of the show is set in Albuquerque, the showrunner’s artistic home base since Breaking Bad, and his affection for the place shines through.—
Nicholas Quah,
Vulture,
7 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
In Hollywood, when something’s a success, there’s an immediate impulse to figure out a way to broaden that success.—
Senior Television,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Jan. 2026
-
Still, the impulse for honor can be overwhelming.—
Kenneth Andrew Andres Leonardo,
The Conversation,
8 Jan. 2026
Noun
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For her part, BunnaB, beloved for her infectious, near-constant laughs, has separated herself from this ascendant pack by infusing her bubbly disposition, girl’s girl attitude, unfettered authenticity — and the unmistakable gravity of earning a second shot.—
Kyle Denis,
Billboard,
5 Nov. 2025
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Controversy follows Cheney While Cheney's disposition was never particularly sunny, critics assailed the vice president as a relentlessly grim figure.—
Don Gonyea,
NPR,
4 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Devices.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/devices. Accessed 11 Jan. 2026.
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