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
as in slyness
skill in achieving one's ends through indirect, subtle, or underhanded means
his deviousness was almost as awesome as his lack of scruples
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of 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
Adjective
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
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
-
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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While there are certainly products that can be used across different hair textures, lengths, curl patterns, thicknesses, colors (natural and unnatural), and needs, hair products are often created with specific consumers in mind.—
Christa Joanna Lee,
Allure,
18 May 2025
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For her, the idea of being surrounded by people, especially while grieving, felt overwhelming and unnatural.—
Ashley Vega,
People.com,
1 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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Newton’s path to jewelry making involved a winding international road.—
Kyle Roderick,
Forbes.com,
24 Apr. 2025
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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
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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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
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For example, comparing transcripts side by side can reveal subtle shifts in a witness' narrative, prompting further scrutiny.—
Beth Worthy,
Forbes.com,
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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If anything seems unusual, trust your instincts and stop the communication immediately.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
14 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Devious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/devious. Accessed 27 May. 2025.
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