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
Harriet Walter has a nice scene as the Prime Minister hatching her own devious political plan.
—
Pete Hammond, Deadline, 28 Jan. 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for devious
Pete Hammond, Deadline, 28 Jan. 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for devious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for devious
Adjective
-
In state media comedy shows, jokes about Putin are told from time to time, but they are used to bolster his image as a powerful, cunning leader, and hold up Russia as a great country.—
Neringa Klumbytė,
The Conversation,
4 Mar. 2026
-
These ambitious, cunning, and often amoral Cold War operatives were usually marginal or even inconsequential figures at home.—
Alfred McCoy,
Literary Hub,
26 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
The sequel throws the bride, Grace, played with feral ferocity by Samara Weaving into another, even more twisted game.—
Jada Yuan,
Vulture,
14 Mar. 2026
-
Early, as the family’s dented nepo baby, is a peculiar fount of profane insight, twisted but touchingly damaged.—
Emily Nussbaum,
New Yorker,
12 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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The biggest factor separating natural from unnatural results is judgment, knowing how much is enough and when to stop.—
Carlos Wolf,
Miami Herald,
12 Mar. 2026
-
Some swim-current systems can create uneven or turbulent flow, which can make swimming feel unnatural.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
12 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Though when he’s finally seen in full evil flight, the actor is arguably allowed to wax a little too cute about it.—
Dennis Harvey,
Variety,
14 Mar. 2026
-
Place them in a cute Weck jar and have a little pickle fork handy.—
Mary Shannon Wells,
Southern Living,
14 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Hosch, 67, went for a hike on part of the Appalachian Trail, a winding path that extends almost 2,200 miles through 14 states.—
Elissa Jorgensen,
Dallas Morning News,
11 Mar. 2026
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And through the dark, winding path of grief came a quaint, bright pink house nestled between a local home goods store and a vintage clothing shop on Parkville’s historic Main Street — creating a stark contrast from the deep sorrow Kincaid and her husband, Michael, felt inside.—
Jenna Ebbers,
Kansas City Star,
17 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Crews from the city of Escondido found no abnormal readings indicating toxic fumes and air-quality monitoring did not indicate any health risks.—
Rob Nikolewski,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
16 Mar. 2026
-
Computer accessories and tech equipment, for instance, are experiencing abnormal cost increases compared with averages in recent years.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
14 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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The rooms Hotel Thaynes has 128 guest rooms, including six king suites, each designed for simple mountain stays with subtle pops of colors.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
19 Mar. 2026
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But eventually, nonstop quips give way to subtle observations on class, power, and, particularly during its second season, when Killface and Crews run opposing campaigns for president, the futility of electoral politics.—
Eric Vilas-Boas,
Vulture,
18 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Our weeklong tester, a 2026 Escalade IQL Sport wrapped in Black Cherry Tint coat had a slew of standard features such as 22-inch wheels, Super Cruise autonomous driving, 55-inch curved display screen, heads up display, panoramic sunroof and illuminated grille to name a few.—
Marc D Grasso,
Hartford Courant,
14 Mar. 2026
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The curved leg promotes airflow and ease, which is especially welcome on long travel days.—
Rosie Marder,
Travel + Leisure,
13 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Devious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/devious. Accessed 19 Mar. 2026.
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