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
In the Jobs era, the Apple ecosystem was its biggest competitive advantage — Cook doubled down on it, with all devices working seamlessly together.
—
Vitaliy Katsenelson, Fortune, 14 May 2026
Despite their tiny size, the devices delivered some of the strongest efficiencies reported for ultrathin perovskite solar technology.
—Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 14 May 2026
Rogers' team has already developed numerous wearable electronic devices for infants and children, which can track vital signs, treat congenital conditions, and diagnose and monitor disease, Northwestern said.
—Adam Harrington, CBS News, 14 May 2026
The county will also give $6 million for student devices and about $33 million for capital expenses.
—Mary Ramsey
may 14, Charlotte Observer, 14 May 2026
The new approach could lead to better hearing technology, including hearing aids, assistive listening devices and cochlear implants.
—Jon Hamilton, NPR, 14 May 2026
This dichotomy, between the use of these devices and the actual charging process itself, is indicative of a larger problem.
—Daniel Fusch, USA Today, 14 May 2026
This capability will come to more wearable devices in the near future, too.
—ArsTechnica, 7 May 2026
Guests were introduced to several of Ulike’s latest beauty‑tech devices and product offerings, including its IPL hair removal devices and an LED skincare mask designed for at‑home treatments.
—Footwear News, 7 May 2026
Vitaliy Katsenelson, Fortune, 14 May 2026
Despite their tiny size, the devices delivered some of the strongest efficiencies reported for ultrathin perovskite solar technology.
—Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 14 May 2026
Rogers' team has already developed numerous wearable electronic devices for infants and children, which can track vital signs, treat congenital conditions, and diagnose and monitor disease, Northwestern said.
—Adam Harrington, CBS News, 14 May 2026
The county will also give $6 million for student devices and about $33 million for capital expenses.
—Mary Ramsey
may 14, Charlotte Observer, 14 May 2026
The new approach could lead to better hearing technology, including hearing aids, assistive listening devices and cochlear implants.
—Jon Hamilton, NPR, 14 May 2026
This dichotomy, between the use of these devices and the actual charging process itself, is indicative of a larger problem.
—Daniel Fusch, USA Today, 14 May 2026
This capability will come to more wearable devices in the near future, too.
—ArsTechnica, 7 May 2026
Guests were introduced to several of Ulike’s latest beauty‑tech devices and product offerings, including its IPL hair removal devices and an LED skincare mask designed for at‑home treatments.
—Footwear News, 7 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for devices
Noun
-
And fundamentally, that top-down government solutions have a tendency to stifle bottom-up solutions that can emerge from the voluntary cooperation of free people.—
The Editorial Board,
Oc Register,
8 May 2026
-
Underlying such obvious acts of aggression lies an insidious tendency for transnational repression to flow from despots into democracies, oppressing lawyers of all nationalities in the process.—
Irwin Cotler,
Time,
8 May 2026
Noun
-
For this class, the premise is that your purpose in life lies to the intersection of your values, your aptitudes and your interests.—
Dana Taylor,
USA Today,
6 May 2026
-
If the team stays bought in and the coach shows an early aptitude for resolving conflicts, change can be a good thing.—
Joe Buscaglia,
New York Times,
4 May 2026
Noun
-
Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper, 57, or Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood, 45, are both often mentioned as possible firm hands who could steer the party, though neither has shown much inclination to enter the fray this time round.—
Alexander Smith,
NBC news,
14 May 2026
-
My inclination would be to say probably not.—
Stephanie Giang-Paunon,
FOXNews.com,
14 May 2026
Noun
-
O’Brien’s extended family still lives in San Diego, so the connection runs deep, as does her deep affinity for food.—
Caron Golden,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
13 May 2026
-
While tons of beauty professionals have ties, affinities, and contractual obligations with designer brands, many swear by drugstore or equally accessible products to get their clients star-worthy outcomes.—
Gina Vaynshteyn,
StyleCaster,
11 May 2026
Noun
-
During their first night together, just for an instant, Nikki appears to glitch, jerking back mid-kiss and looking at him with blind panic instead of undying affection.—
Alex Barasch,
New Yorker,
11 May 2026
-
Locals, even some hardened to the realities of big-time sports, bought into Kiffin’s genuine affection for the people and the place.—
Chris Smith,
Vanity Fair,
11 May 2026
Noun
-
Amid the early-spring lightness of the filmmaking, Fukada values softly plainspoken earnestness of emotion, as his repressed, recessive characters learn to listen to their own impulses in the general stillness that surrounds them.—
Guy Lodge,
Variety,
13 May 2026
-
Charlestonians love Planter’s Punch, so the impulse to claim this drink’s origins makes sense.—
Taylor Tobin,
Southern Living,
12 May 2026
Noun
-
But Randle’s disposition spearheaded Minnesota’s approach.—
Marcus Thompson II,
New York Times,
5 May 2026
-
Deputies will document all referrals and dispositions so the department can track how often services are offered, what resources are utilized and whether those efforts are producing measurable results.—
Sierra van der Brug,
Daily News,
4 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Devices.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/devices. Accessed 15 May. 2026.
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