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
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
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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
-
In the original script, Laura, despite becoming aware of the twisted role into which she’s been cast, decides to stay with Betty’s family.—
Holden Seidlitz,
New Yorker,
20 Mar. 2026
-
Such is the case of David Lowery’s latest curiosity, a stylish thriller about a twisted affair between a pop star (Anne Hathaway) and her fashion designer (Michaela Cole).—
Randy Myers,
Mercury News,
18 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
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
-
But there’s nothing wrong with getting something cute with a tomato or a cherry on it.—
Emily Johnson,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
20 Mar. 2026
-
Despite its cute, turkey-sized appearance, the Doolysaurus was a hardy survivor.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
19 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Chapin said Tokyo’s narrow and winding streets, often crowded with right-handed cars driving on the left side of the road, will present a fresh test for its AI technology, but that Nuro’s systems are designed to adapt and respond in real time.—
Bloomberg,
Mercury News,
12 Mar. 2026
-
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
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
-
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
-
Kuma pulled the curved awning in the hotel’s inner courtyard, for example, from the eye-catching karahafu gable roof on the front of the theater.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
21 Mar. 2026
-
Pardington spat out the coin and looked at the bird, the male with its long, curved beak and pronounced wattle.—
Tom Page,
CNN Money,
19 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Devious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/devious. Accessed 22 Mar. 2026.
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