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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in twisted
marked by a long series of irregular curves
a devious trail through the swampland
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of devious
David Pierce, Hayden Field, and Jennifer Pattison Tuohy discuss all the ways Amazon’s team had to catch up to products like Siri, the devious and clever tests the team ran to see how people would use the device, and why Bezos decided to launch the Echo with no fanfare at all.
—
David Pierce, The Verge, 5 Apr. 2026
The show portrays devious, cocaine-huffing young bankers climbing the ranks of global finance, and Yasmin—or Yas, for short—has cut the least noble path of all.
—Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 2 Mar. 2026
Or, there are a few things audiences shouldn’t even think about during one, let alone find the time to worry about — especially not if our seemingly devious criminals aren’t worrying about them, either.
—Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 18 Feb. 2026
The last of the five is the most devious.
—Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for devious
David Pierce, The Verge, 5 Apr. 2026
The show portrays devious, cocaine-huffing young bankers climbing the ranks of global finance, and Yasmin—or Yas, for short—has cut the least noble path of all.
—Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 2 Mar. 2026
Or, there are a few things audiences shouldn’t even think about during one, let alone find the time to worry about — especially not if our seemingly devious criminals aren’t worrying about them, either.
—Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 18 Feb. 2026
The last of the five is the most devious.
—Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for devious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for devious
Adjective
-
There’s arguably no one better placed to collaborate with VFX artists on a motion-capture performance than Serkis, who’s delivered innocence, cunning, cruelty, longing, and kindness in roles that run from Golum to Caesar to King Kong himself.—
Sarah Shachat,
IndieWire,
4 May 2026
-
As Michael moves into solo stardom and makes cunning business moves, the film captures how his seemingly naive idealism was also a form of ambition.—
Spencer Kornhaber,
The Atlantic,
24 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Mobile homes at Wash Trailer Park in Bogue Chitto were reduced to heaps of twisted metal and debris; Lincoln County alone reported roughly 200 homes damaged.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
7 May 2026
-
On the ground were the charred remains of the bus and tanker truck, with twisted metal scattered across the highway.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
6 May 2026
Adjective
-
As real trees begin to bloom outside, photographer Widline Cadet picks through two playfully oversized bouquets of positively unnatural plastic flowers.—
Elly Fishman,
Vogue,
8 May 2026
-
Moore is the closest thing going to Jeremiyah Love in terms of an unnatural talent.—
Pete Sampson,
New York Times,
7 May 2026
Adjective
-
AshleGryre Shop for breezy sundresses, cute beach coverups, bikinis, and raffia platforms at AshleGryre, a fashion-forward women’s boutique right across from Dune House in Atlantic Beach.—
Terry Ward,
Travel + Leisure,
9 May 2026
-
Sure, robots can be kitschy and cute, but frankly, their growing presence has begun to irk and distract me, becoming a bit too synonymous with gimmicky pan-Asian hotpot fare.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
7 May 2026
Adjective
-
Soneva Jani stretches almost four miles along a stunning lagoon, with a small, lush island connecting two winding jetties, each snaking through the turquoise waters and leading to a collection of unique overwater villas.—
William Curtis,
Travel + Leisure,
6 May 2026
-
Even the entrance is enveloping—a winding, sheltered, dark wooden path that smells like intense relaxation and essential oils.—
Morgan Fargo,
Vogue,
23 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
In recent decades, drugs that target these proteins on the surface of tumor cells have been able to slow abnormal growth and control breast, lung, pancreas, and colon cancers involving these genes.—
Alice Park,
Time,
12 May 2026
-
Moments later, someone ran by with an AED defibrillator—the portable device helps detect an abnormal heartbeat and can deliver an electrical shock during sudden cardiac arrest.—
Asal Rezaei,
CBS News,
12 May 2026
Adjective
-
Is there a subtle way to say something?—
Judith Martin,
Sun Sentinel,
14 May 2026
-
Many viewers interpreted the scene as a subtle reference to Sweeney's political beliefs after BuzzFeed reported in August that Sweeney was registered as a Republican in Florida.—
Anthony Robledo,
USA Today,
13 May 2026
Adjective
-
This curved table from Martha Stewart’s home line has a flat back that sits flush against the wall without sacrificing space.—
Rachel Trujillo,
PEOPLE,
9 May 2026
-
The company has often touted it as a solution for creating curved car displays.—
Michael Kan,
PC Magazine,
5 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Devious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/devious. Accessed 16 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
