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
Or, there are a few things audiences shouldn’t even think about during one, let alone find the time to worry about — especially not if our seemingly devious criminals aren’t worrying about them, either.
—
Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 18 Feb. 2026
That’s when my twelve-year-old brain experienced its first devious epiphany.
—Ashley Hume, FOXNews.com, 7 Feb. 2026
He’s supposed to be this mastermind serial killer, always one step ahead, always so smart and devious and charismatic.
—Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026
Harriet Walter has a nice scene as the Prime Minister hatching her own devious political plan.
—Pete Hammond, Deadline, 28 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for devious
Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 18 Feb. 2026
That’s when my twelve-year-old brain experienced its first devious epiphany.
—Ashley Hume, FOXNews.com, 7 Feb. 2026
He’s supposed to be this mastermind serial killer, always one step ahead, always so smart and devious and charismatic.
—Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026
Harriet Walter has a nice scene as the Prime Minister hatching her own devious political plan.
—Pete Hammond, Deadline, 28 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for devious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for devious
Adjective
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Past friends and former associates described him to me as an exceptionally cunning con man, a consummate charmer, and a womanizer.—
Nate Freeman,
Vanity Fair,
3 Apr. 2026
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Starring Charlize Theron, Taron Egerton, and Eric Bana, the film was shot on location in the Australian wilderness and features Theron as a grieving woman on a solo adventure who becomes the target of a cunning killer (Egerton) in a twisted game of cat-and-mouse.—
Abid Rahman,
HollywoodReporter,
1 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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The twisted brick Blavatnik Building extension has doubled the hanging space and does a nice line in river views from the top floor.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
11 Apr. 2026
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Out front, the home’s first impression comes from mature olives that make a statement by real provenance — from twisted trunks to branches of green leaves and fruit — not from landscaping-in-a-box.—
David Caraccio,
Sacbee.com,
11 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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The words feel heavy and unnatural when O'Neal repeats them back to the doctor, like trying to blow a bubble and spitting out rocks instead.—
Courtney Crowder,
USA Today,
10 Apr. 2026
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Bolton said unsatisfied transplant recipients are coming to him with unnatural hairlines.—
Cindy Krischer Goodman,
Sun Sentinel,
9 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Fly across the world to visit archives and then look at additional pamphlets just because the covers look cute.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
10 Apr. 2026
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For adventurous travelers who want to look cute in photos but also have a hike, tennis match, or other adventure on the agenda, this pleated skirt is an ideal pick.—
Paris Wilson,
Travel + Leisure,
10 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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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
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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
Adjective
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South Korean media reported the projectile, also likely a ballistic missile, disappeared from South Korean military radars after displaying an abnormal development in the initial launch stage.—
Hyung-Jin Kim,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Apr. 2026
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South Korean media reported the previous projectile, also likely a ballistic missile, disappeared from South Korean military radars after displaying an abnormal development in the initial launch stage.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
7 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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One search can yield a long list of options, each with its own rules, conditions, and subtle differences that are easy to miss at first glance.—
Matthew Kayser,
Miami Herald,
8 Apr. 2026
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However, a slight blurring of stars at the edge of the frame seems to betray the subtle motion of the spacecraft — or camera — over the course of the 10-second exposure.—
Anthony Wood,
Space.com,
8 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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The headboard shape boasts the same curved ‘wings’ as those high-back chairs.—
Kate McGregor,
Architectural Digest,
10 Apr. 2026
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The research team also revealed that their strategy is a highly effective approach for improving not only the thermoelectric and mechanical performances of Ag2Se but also its applicability in curved or flexible energy harvesting devices.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
9 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Devious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/devious. Accessed 14 Apr. 2026.
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