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
Are these self-help messages — which more young males need to learn — merely gateway drugs to more devious worldviews?
—
Andrew Reiner, Baltimore Sun, 20 Apr. 2025
Freshly tossed into a private Catholic high school by his devout mother, John falls head over heels for a devious classmate ready to push his faith (and morals) to the brink with a series of increasingly uncomfortable actions, all in the name of love.
—Samantha Bergeson, IndieWire, 16 Apr. 2025
Freshly tossed into a private Catholic high school by his devout mother, John falls head over heels for a devious classmate ready to
push his faith (and morals) to the brink with a series of increasingly uncomfortable actions, all in
the name of love.
—Katcy Stephan, Variety, 16 Apr. 2025
Coinciding with Smoke and Stack’s preparations for this big to-do are the devious activities of Remmick (Jack O’Connell getting his freaky creep on very well) whose legacy extends way back in time.
—Randy Myers, Mercury News, 11 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for devious
Andrew Reiner, Baltimore Sun, 20 Apr. 2025
Freshly tossed into a private Catholic high school by his devout mother, John falls head over heels for a devious classmate ready to push his faith (and morals) to the brink with a series of increasingly uncomfortable actions, all in the name of love.
—Samantha Bergeson, IndieWire, 16 Apr. 2025
Freshly tossed into a private Catholic high school by his devout mother, John falls head over heels for a devious classmate ready to
push his faith (and morals) to the brink with a series of increasingly uncomfortable actions, all in
the name of love.
—Katcy Stephan, Variety, 16 Apr. 2025
Coinciding with Smoke and Stack’s preparations for this big to-do are the devious activities of Remmick (Jack O’Connell getting his freaky creep on very well) whose legacy extends way back in time.
—Randy Myers, Mercury News, 11 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for devious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for devious
Adjective
-
In real life, most would-be Proud Boys don’t have cunning, progressive housemates who will throw away their gun parts.—
Amy Weiss-Meyer,
The Atlantic,
8 May 2025
-
Premiering in January 2023, The Traitors has gone on to widespread acclaim, even winning Emmys for Outstanding Reality Competition Program and Outstanding Host for a Reality or Reality Competition Program (Alan Cumming on cunning form).—
Griff Griffin,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 May 2025
Adjective
-
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
-
Multiple sclerosis bends his limbs in sharp, unnatural angles.—
Miami Herald Archives,
Miami Herald,
8 May 2025
-
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
-
At a press screening of the film in March, these cute, interstitial clips drew big laughs.—
Eric Renner Brown,
Billboard,
7 May 2025
-
Wine corks also make cute place card holders and wine glass charms.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
7 May 2025
Adjective
-
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
-
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
-
The thing is, there are normal technologies that lead to abnormal impacts.—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes.com,
1 May 2025
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Some patients with dysphonia feel that their abnormal voice issues affect their relationships and their ability to perform their job or take on leadership or public-facing roles.—
Indu Subramanian,
The Conversation,
1 May 2025
Adjective
-
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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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
Adjective
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But many don't realize there are lots of other, more unusual ways allergies can show up.—
Angela Haupt,
Time,
2 May 2025
-
That’s not unusual, for people to send spritzes, but then the manager came out with a gift bag.—
Seija Rankin,
HollywoodReporter,
2 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Devious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/devious. Accessed 17 May. 2025.
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