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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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
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
Liongate just greenlit a sequel film based on the second book in Freida McFadden’s trilogy series, The Housemaid’s Secret, with Sydney Sweeney returning as the devious maid, Millie Calloway.
—Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 7 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for devious
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
Liongate just greenlit a sequel film based on the second book in Freida McFadden’s trilogy series, The Housemaid’s Secret, with Sydney Sweeney returning as the devious maid, Millie Calloway.
—Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 7 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for devious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for devious
Adjective
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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
-
So says Catherine de Medici (Samantha Morton), the cunning Queen of France, in this sinfully delicious historical drama.—
Kevin Jacobsen,
Entertainment Weekly,
25 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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And the urgent question is which Democrats are electable at a time when political norms are being tested and twisted.—
Hunter Woodall,
CBS News,
28 Feb. 2026
-
Donkoh collapsed to the floor late in the first half with a twisted ankle and had to be helped off the court.—
Don Norcross,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
28 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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When forty children remained quiet for an extended period, the world took on an eerie quality—natural or unnatural, who could say, but glorious all the same.—
Yiyun Li,
New Yorker,
1 Mar. 2026
-
Synthetic audio can sound unnatural or inconsistent.—
Lauren Costantino,
Miami Herald,
28 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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There are a few unexpected gems, such as Loungefly, Pacsun, and Hot Topic, which also have cute offerings.—
Katie Decker-Jacoby,
StyleCaster,
27 Feb. 2026
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Scroll to shop and add these cute shoes to your cart while deals are up to 60 percent off.—
Caroline Hughes,
Travel + Leisure,
26 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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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
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Cherry unveiled like a mood overture: Every winding synth line, chopped vocal shard, and sudden genre swerve felt like a distinct scene—time-traveling without losing a grip on the floor.—
Gio Santiago,
Pitchfork,
12 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Look for choppy sentences, unusual inflections, abnormal phrasing, or incongruent background noise.—
Lauren Costantino,
Miami Herald,
28 Feb. 2026
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And their response to her is like, maybe that’s not abnormal [for Jackie].—
K.J. Yossman,
Variety,
27 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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The subtle split among Democrats began emerging minutes after the first US strikes on Saturday.—
Nicholas Wu,
semafor.com,
5 Mar. 2026
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This Madewell pair is made from high-quality denim with a subtle stretch to hug your curves and ensure all-day comfort.—
Jordan Julian,
InStyle,
5 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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The shoes balance atop a curved, dagger heel.—
Karla Rodriguez,
Footwear News,
27 Feb. 2026
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Yukibana is the buzzy heartbeat of the hotel, with its curved seating, walls of windows, and chandeliers made of deer antlers.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
26 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Devious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/devious. Accessed 7 Mar. 2026.
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