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
Adam’s devious plan and meddling soon sets everything, and everyone, spiraling out of control.
—
Pete Hammond, Deadline, 14 May 2026
The tension between the couple, contrasted with their joint antagonism towards the devious narrator, is hilarious.
—Rima Parikh, Vulture, 10 May 2026
The characters are eccentric, devious and mysterious.
—Bobby Burack Outkick, FOXNews.com, 7 May 2026
Lucien is devious and clever in not-especially-fresh ways but Christopher’s naked need for acceptance into Lucien’s world is easy to relate to, with the bonus entertainment value of both a criminal scheme that’s bound to go sideways and a sneak peek at the fascinating world of forgery.
—Chris Hewitt, Boston Herald, 12 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for devious
Pete Hammond, Deadline, 14 May 2026
The tension between the couple, contrasted with their joint antagonism towards the devious narrator, is hilarious.
—Rima Parikh, Vulture, 10 May 2026
The characters are eccentric, devious and mysterious.
—Bobby Burack Outkick, FOXNews.com, 7 May 2026
Lucien is devious and clever in not-especially-fresh ways but Christopher’s naked need for acceptance into Lucien’s world is easy to relate to, with the bonus entertainment value of both a criminal scheme that’s bound to go sideways and a sneak peek at the fascinating world of forgery.
—Chris Hewitt, Boston Herald, 12 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for devious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for devious
Adjective
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Dano’s static line delivery gets used for a chilling but laconic effect as his character’s cunning political negotiations lead to deadly outcomes.—
Randy Myers,
Mercury News,
13 May 2026
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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
Adjective
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The first trailer for the film adaptation of Freida McFadden’s 2022 novel gave viewers a look at how the stars are bringing to life the twisted story of a mysterious housemaid who was hired by a manipulative housewife, only to discover the family’s secrets are even more dangerous than her own.—
Emily Blackwood,
PEOPLE,
7 Dec. 2025
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Spoilers ahead for Dear X Since its early November debut, Dear X (친애하는 X) has had Korean drama fans on the edge of their seats with the twisted tale of actress Baek Ah-jin (My Demon’s Kim Yoo-jung).—
Kayti Burt,
Time,
4 Dec. 2025
Adjective
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This is fast enough for the robot to react to environmental changes in real time without making its motions feel jerky or unnatural.—
Lee-Lean Shu,
Forbes.com,
11 June 2026
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The whole thing felt unnatural.—
Matt Gelb,
New York Times,
6 June 2026
Adjective
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Catching feelings for her cute and reliable RA, Noel Crane (Scott Foley, making his second appearance on this list).—
Allison DeGrushe Published,
EW.com,
20 Aug. 2025
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However, Archie follows the high school hijinks of the cute Archie and his main squeezes, Veronica and Betty.—
Anthony D'Alessandro,
Deadline,
20 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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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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According to researchers, the INFLUX lattice forces coolant through a smoother but more winding path, improving heat removal and potentially offering safety advantages, especially during accident scenarios.—
Jijo Malayil,
Interesting Engineering,
2 Dec. 2025
Adjective
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Drivers may notice warning signs before a failure occurs, including abnormal noises or vibrations from the rear suspension or changes in vehicle handling, according to the recall report.—
Anthony Thompson,
USA Today,
10 June 2026
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Due to difficulties finding a suitable donor [for the transplant], Caitlin suffered an abnormal relapse and the cancer returned to her skin.—
Escher Walcott,
PEOPLE,
10 June 2026
Adjective
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The perpetual buzz of mining bees mingled with the shuffle of rabbits through the bushes, woodpeckers’ rapid-fire drilling, and the hard-staccato tchack, tchack, tchack of ravenlike birds known as jackdaws, creating a subtle symphony.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
11 June 2026
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Look for alcohol-free, subtle formulas the goal is a whisper of fragrance, not a perfume cloud that announces itself from across the room.—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Miami Herald,
10 June 2026
Adjective
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This Acer curved display does more than just look good on your desk.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
19 Aug. 2025
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Bohemian tones found their way into the new season with even more of a wandering spirit, while curved silhouettes went against the grain and found fresh ways to invigorate blazers, pants, and even footwear.—
Cortne Bonilla,
Vogue,
18 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Devious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/devious. Accessed 18 Jun. 2026.
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