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
The exact details of Greg’s devious plot have been debated on social media forums ever since Tanya’s onscreen death, but season 3 of The White Lotus will likely conclude the storyline.
—
Dani Di Placido, Forbes, 20 Feb. 2025
Davis' growing bond with Quinn is threatened by his ex-wife, who has a devious plan to take down Staten and Cap.
—Ross Rosenfeld, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Apr. 2025
Wearing a beige leotard and white tutu, with her silky black hair secured in a tight bun, Ito is disarmingly devious in her efforts to seduce Prince Siegfried, played by dancer Lucas Ataide.
—Marcia Luttrell, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Mar. 2025
In the most recent episode, the clans form a temporary détente at the funeral of Tommy Stevenson (Felix Edwards), with Conrad’s devious wife Maeve (Helen Mirren) scheming to draw blood behind his back.
—Emily Zemler, Los Angeles Times, 27 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for devious
Dani Di Placido, Forbes, 20 Feb. 2025
Davis' growing bond with Quinn is threatened by his ex-wife, who has a devious plan to take down Staten and Cap.
—Ross Rosenfeld, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Apr. 2025
Wearing a beige leotard and white tutu, with her silky black hair secured in a tight bun, Ito is disarmingly devious in her efforts to seduce Prince Siegfried, played by dancer Lucas Ataide.
—Marcia Luttrell, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Mar. 2025
In the most recent episode, the clans form a temporary détente at the funeral of Tommy Stevenson (Felix Edwards), with Conrad’s devious wife Maeve (Helen Mirren) scheming to draw blood behind his back.
—Emily Zemler, Los Angeles Times, 27 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for devious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for devious
Adjective
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McLaren’s Piastri began in pole position and initially held off Verstappen before the Dutchman displayed all the brilliance, cunning and bravery that has propelled him to four world championships, holding off the brakes as long as possible and sliding around the outside on the first turn.—
Issy Ronald,
CNN Money,
18 May 2025
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Unfortunately, Porsha isn’t cunning enough for this to work.—
Ile-Ife Okantah,
Vulture,
12 May 2025
Adjective
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Long-time nemesis Brad Marchand scored the winner for the Panthers on a twisted wrister that banked off Rielly before zipping past goalie Joseph Woll.—
Steve Silverman,
Forbes.com,
12 May 2025
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The lustful reggaeton-bachata song about a twisted love affair would shock fans upon its release in the spring of 2005.—
Andrea Flores,
Los Angeles Times,
9 May 2025
Adjective
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Multiple sclerosis bends his limbs in sharp, unnatural angles.—
Miami Herald Archives,
Miami Herald,
8 May 2025
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A week ago, TikTok birthed a strange meme, proposing that the big hat that Zendaya wore back in 2014 during the Teen Vogue Young Hollywood Party contained something unnatural.—
Dani Di Placido,
Forbes.com,
6 May 2025
Adjective
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She has been married twice, marrying director Chris Calkins in 2009. 08 of 09 Woody Harrelson as Woody Boyd Woody Harrelson's Woody Boyd joined Cheers in season 4 as a not-so-bright but very cute bartender.—
Kate Hogan,
People.com,
20 May 2025
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Located about 10 minutes from downtown, the winery has a tasting room and a cute patio for outdoor sipping.—
Amanda Ogle,
Travel + Leisure,
18 May 2025
Adjective
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After the afternoon prayers, the thunderstorm fading into the distance, a group of girls takes a winding cobblestone path through a thin area of woods and approaches a greenhouse.—
Lindsey McGinnis,
Christian Science Monitor,
1 May 2025
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Black Sands’ 12 teak bungalows are just steps from the beach, connected by a winding wooden boardwalk.—
Jen Murphy,
Robb Report,
19 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Alopecia areata is an autoimmune condition that causes abnormal inflammation around hair follicles, leading to excessive hair loss.—
Ruth Jessen Hickman,
Health,
16 May 2025
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According to the Cleveland Clinic, SADS is a heart condition where an abnormal heart rhythm affects the heart’s electrical system, causing sudden death.—
Gabrielle Rockson,
People.com,
16 May 2025
Adjective
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Vasudevan explains that cats use their paws not just for hunting or defending, but also for play and subtle communication.—
Maria Azzurra Volpe,
MSNBC Newsweek,
13 May 2025
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With its strapless neckline, subtle side slit, and body-hugging silhouette, it was made for sipping cocktails under palm trees in Miami or dancing the night away in Barcelona.—
Rosie Marder,
Travel + Leisure,
13 May 2025
Adjective
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In that respect, Alonso is not necessarily unusual.—
Ken Rosenthal,
New York Times,
15 May 2025
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Kehoe’s hands-on involvement with the proposal, which is unusual for a sitting governor, poses a big test of his political clout after spending years as a prominent Jefferson City businessman.—
Kacen Bayless,
Kansas City Star,
14 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Devious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/devious. Accessed 25 May. 2025.
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