as in cunning
skill in achieving one's ends through indirect, subtle, or underhanded means
his deviousness was almost as awesome as his lack of scruples
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deviousness
Noun
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The confidence that began Carrick’s spell in charge will need to be matched with new cunning and craft.—
Carl Anka,
New York Times,
5 Mar. 2026 -
But Muck is no Epstein, malevolent and cunning.—
Spencer Kornhaber,
The Atlantic,
2 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Like the tricksters of myth, there’s depth to their slyness.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
5 Feb. 2026
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Ay, the superb slyness of that last response!—
Anthony Lane,
New Yorker,
8 Sep. 2025
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“Deviousness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deviousness. Accessed 16 Mar. 2026.
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