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
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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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of devious
The Magic Kingdom’s Villains Land will include two major attractions, dining and shopping in a dark, devious and thorny land where the evil ambitions of Disney Villains can run wild and their stories can be told.
—
Brady MacDonald, Oc Register, 17 Oct. 2025
Our wrap actually occurred at a much less devious-sounding feature—Huggy Bear.
—Madison Dapcevich, Outside, 13 Sep. 2025
The central problem in American politics is not a matter of devious leaders, foreign intrigue or sectional rivalries — things that will always exist.
—Robert A. Strong, The Conversation, 8 Sep. 2025
Steller’s jays are more than a little bit devious, using their ability to mimic hawk calls to gain an advantage over a food source.
—Joan Morris, Mercury News, 8 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for devious
Brady MacDonald, Oc Register, 17 Oct. 2025
Our wrap actually occurred at a much less devious-sounding feature—Huggy Bear.
—Madison Dapcevich, Outside, 13 Sep. 2025
The central problem in American politics is not a matter of devious leaders, foreign intrigue or sectional rivalries — things that will always exist.
—Robert A. Strong, The Conversation, 8 Sep. 2025
Steller’s jays are more than a little bit devious, using their ability to mimic hawk calls to gain an advantage over a food source.
—Joan Morris, Mercury News, 8 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for devious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for devious
Adjective
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Fueled by vengeance and cunning ambition, Ashur rises from betrayal and bloodshed to seize power, gouging out a place for the House of Ashur in a new arena full of violence, desire, and twisted loyalty.—
Rosy Cordero,
Deadline,
30 Oct. 2025
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The elaborate scheme, masterminded by members of four Mafia families in collusion with celebrity athletes, ensnared unsuspecting victims, bleeding them of over $7 million through cunning deception, prosecutors said in the indictment.—
Alaa Elassar,
CNN Money,
27 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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At first LaRue, then 40 and a single mother living with her 5-year-old daughter Kaya Callahan in Los Angeles, thought the hate mail might just be a twisted prank.—
Liam Quinn,
PEOPLE,
11 Nov. 2025
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Yet none are warped or twisted.—
Suzanne Wright,
USA Today,
11 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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For thousands of years, men in power have been responsible for catastrophe after genocide after unnatural disaster.—
Sophie Gilbert,
The Atlantic,
5 Nov. 2025
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Scrutinize fine details like hair, fur, or repetitive patterns that may appear unnatural, and inspect for illogical lighting, shadows, or odd background elements.—
Matt Emma,
USA Today,
3 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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Fall travel season is here, and my suitcase is officially in its comfy-but-cute era.—
Chaise Sanders,
Travel + Leisure,
8 Nov. 2025
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Shoppers call out the cute and functional design.—
Kim Grundy,
PEOPLE,
8 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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Experts say that these legal challenges are just the beginning of what will surely be a long and winding road through the U.S. court system.—
Kat Lonsdorf,
NPR,
23 Oct. 2025
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Thake took a long and winding trip down the memories of South Yorkshire football, a path which eventually led him to the living room of a shy, almost reclusive Rotherham man called Terry Moran.—
Nick Miller,
New York Times,
30 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Mania of the week Ecdemomania — an abnormal compulsion to wander.—
Scott Lafee,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
11 Nov. 2025
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Just one cup of joe is associated with reduced occurrence of atrial fibrillation (AF), a common form of abnormal heartbeat that causes your heart to race and can lead to blood clots, stroke or heart failure.—
Nicole Fallert,
USA Today,
10 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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There are more subtle links between the franchises as well, like the casting of Cameron Brown as the Drone Synth in the film.—
Lauren Huff,
Entertainment Weekly,
8 Nov. 2025
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Lucky Step Platform Sneakers These brown suede platform sneakers give a subtle lift while staying super comfortable thanks to memory foam insoles and arch support.—
Chaise Sanders,
Travel + Leisure,
8 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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The curved lines and mesh detailing add a dash of vintage street style, and pair well with everything from athletic wear to wide-leg trousers and a T-shirt.—
Sophie Dodd,
Travel + Leisure,
8 Nov. 2025
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Spacetime may be more strongly curved inside of a black hole’s event horizon, but anything that happens in there can’t get out; nothing can escape a black hole’s interior, even at the speed of light.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
7 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Devious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/devious. Accessed 14 Nov. 2025.
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