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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of devious
As the series goes on, Jax morphs from a generally good-hearted guy into a violent, devious antihero.
—
Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 16 Jan. 2026
Still, self-censorship is the most devious concocter of self-deceit.
—Literary Hub, 15 Jan. 2026
Another season of The Traitors is here — which means a new group of devious celebrities has been chosen to wreak havoc in the castle.
—Jordana Comiter, PEOPLE, 9 Jan. 2026
Liongate just greenlit a sequel film based on the second book in Freida McFadden’s trilogy series, The Housemaid’s Secret, with Sydney Sweeney returning as the devious maid, Millie Calloway.
—Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 7 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for devious
Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 16 Jan. 2026
Still, self-censorship is the most devious concocter of self-deceit.
—Literary Hub, 15 Jan. 2026
Another season of The Traitors is here — which means a new group of devious celebrities has been chosen to wreak havoc in the castle.
—Jordana Comiter, PEOPLE, 9 Jan. 2026
Liongate just greenlit a sequel film based on the second book in Freida McFadden’s trilogy series, The Housemaid’s Secret, with Sydney Sweeney returning as the devious maid, Millie Calloway.
—Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 7 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for devious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for devious
Adjective
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Goldsworthy has made cunning edits of the landscape throughout Penpont.—
Rebecca Mead,
New Yorker,
9 Feb. 2026
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Perhaps most perceptively captivating is the sweetly cunning way Marczak inserts himself into the film.—
Murtada Elfadl,
Variety,
6 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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In this succession of adaptations, each filmmaker has gradually softened the original form—a dark and twisted story of obsession, generational trauma, and self-destruction—into something that more closely resembles a wild, cinematic love story.—
Cazzie David,
Vogue,
6 Feb. 2026
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As the rising sun seeps through twisted mangroves, JP Clark’s fly fishing rod bends suddenly.—
Max Chesnes,
The Orlando Sentinel,
6 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Others forced users to pause for several seconds between words, which made the conversation feel unnatural.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
1 Feb. 2026
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If anything, Amorim proved too defiantly wedded to his own ‘way’, a 3-4-2-1 system which had to force-fit players into unnatural roles.—
Carl Anka,
New York Times,
31 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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The Puppy Bowl isn’t just cute — it’s built around adoption, heart and moments that matter beyond Super Bowl Sunday.—
Kelsey Monstrola,
USA Today,
7 Feb. 2026
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Don’t be shy when playing around with colors, patterns, and cute Galentine’s motifs.—
Sophia Beams,
Better Homes & Gardens,
7 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Chicago capped a winding season of exclamation-point football with its wild-card comeback against the archrival Green Bay Packers.—
Steven Louis Goldstein,
New York Times,
18 Jan. 2026
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Old Town Albuquerque With its narrow, winding streets and adobe architecture, Old Town Albuquerque oozes small-town charm.—
Lauren Dana Ellman,
Travel + Leisure,
16 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Or hold a burning incense stick around the windows and doors, and watch for any abnormal smoke movement.—
Michelle Ullman,
The Spruce,
10 Feb. 2026
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The training also makes clear that the definition of ectopic pregnancies — which are always life-threatening — includes any that implant in an abnormal location outside of the uterine cavity.—
Cassandra Jaramillo,
CNN Money,
9 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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The moments that could be regarded as direct criticism were rare and subtle.—
Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board,
The Orlando Sentinel,
11 Feb. 2026
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The skirt is made with an intentionally creased texture and features a straight cut with a subtle flare at the hem.—
Karla Rodriguez,
Footwear News,
11 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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In bandy, athletes on ice skates use curved sticks to try to shoot a small ball (not a puck) into the other team's net.—
Rachel Treisman,
NPR,
6 Feb. 2026
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The rear bedroom comes to life through an inside-out ship hull-like design in which thin strips of contrasting wood visually separate the underlying birch into what appears like curved planks.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
6 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Devious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/devious. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
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