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
Prosecutors say the pair threw two devices containing the explosive TATP and shrapnel, but the jar-sized bombs failed to detonate.
—
Erica Byfield, NBC news, 16 Apr. 2026
This nifty little Anker portable power bank can juice up small devices (think AirPods, iPads, and phones) in a pinch.
—Abbey Hudetz, Travel + Leisure, 16 Apr. 2026
The Vision Pro’s immersive video offerings are one of its top selling points and a key differentiator from rival devices in the category.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 16 Apr. 2026
But the voltage in Thailand is higher, so some devices, such as hair tools, require a voltage converter.
—Kathleen Wong, USA Today, 16 Apr. 2026
Officers found multiple cars had been broken into and electronic devices stolen.
—Cbs News Atlanta Digital Team, CBS News, 16 Apr. 2026
The company hit the milestone this month across connected devices and smart-TVs.
—Dade Hayes, Deadline, 16 Apr. 2026
During the project, Avalanche will build degradation-resistant microchips that will be used in alpha-voltaic cells and eventually in fusion devices.
—Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 9 Apr. 2026
Other options, such as red light therapy caps, are non-invasive devices that use low-level light therapy to stimulate hair follicles and increase density.
—Cindy Krischer Goodman, Sun Sentinel, 9 Apr. 2026
Erica Byfield, NBC news, 16 Apr. 2026
This nifty little Anker portable power bank can juice up small devices (think AirPods, iPads, and phones) in a pinch.
—Abbey Hudetz, Travel + Leisure, 16 Apr. 2026
The Vision Pro’s immersive video offerings are one of its top selling points and a key differentiator from rival devices in the category.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 16 Apr. 2026
But the voltage in Thailand is higher, so some devices, such as hair tools, require a voltage converter.
—Kathleen Wong, USA Today, 16 Apr. 2026
Officers found multiple cars had been broken into and electronic devices stolen.
—Cbs News Atlanta Digital Team, CBS News, 16 Apr. 2026
The company hit the milestone this month across connected devices and smart-TVs.
—Dade Hayes, Deadline, 16 Apr. 2026
During the project, Avalanche will build degradation-resistant microchips that will be used in alpha-voltaic cells and eventually in fusion devices.
—Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 9 Apr. 2026
Other options, such as red light therapy caps, are non-invasive devices that use low-level light therapy to stimulate hair follicles and increase density.
—Cindy Krischer Goodman, Sun Sentinel, 9 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for devices
Noun
-
Fortunately, Sanctions balances its downer tendencies with moments of levity and peculiar arrangements that only Souled American could have concocted.—
Zach Schonfeld,
Pitchfork,
17 Apr. 2026
-
The tendency to dig your own hole is ironic, and history is a great teacher.—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
17 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
There’s enough aptitude on the roster and the front office to make a wild-card bid work.—
Tom Krasovic,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
13 Apr. 2026
-
Mark Ruffin, a onetime music director at WBEE, recalled Alston’s enterprising nature and her aptitude for sales.—
Bob Goldsborough,
Chicago Tribune,
9 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Who knew that such daring would lead to a film that avoids these inclinations entirely, especially one that could have so easily leaned into controversial territory?—
David Opie,
IndieWire,
15 Apr. 2026
-
The 11 satellites on board are flying to a mid-inclination orbit.—
Richard Tribou,
The Orlando Sentinel,
14 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Later in life, Keno’s children teased him about his affection for bottle corks and a seemingly random affinity for crafting.—
Kendrick Calfee,
Kansas City Star,
22 Apr. 2026
-
The new project highlights their natural chemistry and clear affinity for the So Much Fun era—the kids are definitely still alright.—
Hattie Lindert,
Pitchfork,
17 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Famous for her affection towards corgis, the future queen cuddled a Pembroke Welsh corgi in April 1940.—
Stephanie Sengwe,
PEOPLE,
21 Apr. 2026
-
In the wake of Soldier Boy’s resurrection, Homelander is desperate to earn some fatherly affection.—
Ben Rosenstock,
Vulture,
15 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
While Siegel and others seem to want more teen pregnancies, Steiner argues that efforts to reduce teen births are often borne from the same impulse.—
Theresa Gaffney,
STAT,
20 Apr. 2026
-
This is also true in the Christian world, where the impulse to use your hands has a distinct theological flavor to it.—
Emma Green,
New Yorker,
17 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
His next court appearance is his disposition hearing on April 30.—
Charna Flam,
PEOPLE,
16 Apr. 2026
-
Olvin Carcamo-Meza, 19, pleaded guilty during a Tuesday afternoon disposition hearing to two counts of first-degree assault, a felony, and two violent crime sentence enhancers, according to Arapahoe County court records.—
Lauren Penington,
Denver Post,
15 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Devices.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/devices. Accessed 23 Apr. 2026.
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