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
Slaveholders were clever and devious along with evil.
—
Chadd Scott, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2025
LeBlanc’s character Michael, like Bregman’s Lauren and Rikaart’s Kevin, also started on the show as a more devious figure.
—Victoria Edel, People.com, 27 Aug. 2025
Following a confrontational luncheon, the Baroness, who by now has been revealed to be a devious conwoman, attempts to drive a rift between the Wittmers and the Ritters by convincing her lovers, Rudy and Robert, to trick Heinz into shooting Dore's beloved donkey.
—EW.com, 22 Aug. 2025
In zoos, the architecture of captivity arguably finds its most devious achievement, because the designers want to hide the cages and accommodate masses of spectators.
—Dan Piepenbring, Harpers Magazine, 20 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for devious
Chadd Scott, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2025
LeBlanc’s character Michael, like Bregman’s Lauren and Rikaart’s Kevin, also started on the show as a more devious figure.
—Victoria Edel, People.com, 27 Aug. 2025
Following a confrontational luncheon, the Baroness, who by now has been revealed to be a devious conwoman, attempts to drive a rift between the Wittmers and the Ritters by convincing her lovers, Rudy and Robert, to trick Heinz into shooting Dore's beloved donkey.
—EW.com, 22 Aug. 2025
In zoos, the architecture of captivity arguably finds its most devious achievement, because the designers want to hide the cages and accommodate masses of spectators.
—Dan Piepenbring, Harpers Magazine, 20 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for devious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for devious
Adjective
-
On this occasion, Fernandez’s cross flies over Cucurella and straight into the thick of the action, where Joao Pedro’s cunning movement creates space to get his header away.—
Thom Harris,
New York Times,
11 Sep. 2025
-
Bening will costar on the series as Beulah Jackson, who's described as the powerful, cunning, and charming head of a major ranch in Texas.—
Randall Colburn,
Entertainment Weekly,
7 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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In fact, most of her public appearance, on the red carpet and otherwise, have included some form of the twisted embellishment.—
Kaleigh Werner,
Footwear News,
16 Sep. 2025
-
Consistently subverting audience expectations, Don’t Breathe features an incredibly twisted game of cat-and-mouse.—
Yasmeen Hamadeh,
PEOPLE,
13 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
In its world premiere, SECOND NATURE challenges the notion that queerness is unnatural, by turning to nature itself — and the science that dismantles the myth of the gender binary.—
Glenn Garner,
Deadline,
10 Sep. 2025
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Stories abound in folklore of the unnatural taking the place of the natural.—
Adam Verner
September 3,
Literary Hub,
3 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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The buzzy long-sleeve shirt has a cute ribbed design, and it’s made of soft, stretchy fabric that doesn’t feel overly restrictive.—
Isabel Garcia,
PEOPLE,
12 Sep. 2025
-
This cute camisole is perfect for lounging around or pairing with your favorite sweatpants or leggings.—
Alanna Martine Kilkeary,
Glamour,
11 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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The road is narrow and winding, but the Civic Si’s chassis tuning shines, letting the car dance eagerly between corners.—
Michael Harley,
Forbes.com,
11 Sep. 2025
-
Water from a winding, jagged valley feeds the swimming spot, which has a 32-foot-wide pebbly beach.—
AFAR Media,
AFAR Media,
28 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
The Dodgers swept Milwaukee in that best-of-three first-round series in 2020 and went on to win the whole thing, albeit in abnormal conditions.—
Jim Alexander,
Oc Register,
16 Sep. 2025
-
In multiple myeloma, abnormal plasma cells build up in the bone marrow and crowd out healthy blood-forming cells, including red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets.—
Lindsay Curtis,
Health,
14 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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His celebration was subtle yet suave, a drop of his bat with a flick of his wrist.—
Justice delos Santos,
Mercury News,
13 Sep. 2025
-
This is clearly a quick screen and may not pick up more subtle issues.—
Bruce Y. Lee,
Forbes.com,
13 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Room for two, a supple ride, a gorgeous view over a curved hood, perfect flow of air up and over the windshield and cockpit with virtually no backsplash to disrupt pleasant conversation, and the ability at any time to experience a rush of power and speed when the moment calls.—
Mark Ewing,
Forbes.com,
14 Sep. 2025
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Samsung’s Odyssey Ark gaming monitor is down $900, and its massive curved screen with Cockpit Mode makes racing and flight sims ridiculously immersive.—
Shubham Yewale,
PC Magazine,
12 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Devious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/devious. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.
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