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
But 47 has navigated those waters better than most, delivering some genuine interpersonal conflict and elevating a handful of satisfyingly devious characters including the initially hapless Andy Rueda and Keyser Söze-ian corporate lawyer Genevieve Mushaluk.
—
Joe Reid, Vulture, 19 Dec. 2024
These problem children of devious sellers are known as Frankenwatches, and that’s exactly what got Omega and Phillips into hot water.
—Allen Farmelo, Robb Report, 9 Jan. 2025
That 2021 gloss on the queasy Death Wish power fantasy was brutish fun, thanks to Odenkirk’s devious performance and the full-contact action scenes.
—A.a. Dowd, Vulture, 6 Jan. 2025
Up top with Bernard and Lukas, the devious IT Head revels in his plan to starve the accomplices out.
—Jeff Spry, Space.com, 23 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for devious 
Joe Reid, Vulture, 19 Dec. 2024
These problem children of devious sellers are known as Frankenwatches, and that’s exactly what got Omega and Phillips into hot water.
—Allen Farmelo, Robb Report, 9 Jan. 2025
That 2021 gloss on the queasy Death Wish power fantasy was brutish fun, thanks to Odenkirk’s devious performance and the full-contact action scenes.
—A.a. Dowd, Vulture, 6 Jan. 2025
Up top with Bernard and Lukas, the devious IT Head revels in his plan to starve the accomplices out.
—Jeff Spry, Space.com, 23 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for devious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for devious
Adjective
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The episode also introduced Andy Garcia as Galino, a powerful and cunning cartel boss.—
Greg Braxton,
Los Angeles Times,
12 Jan. 2025
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Black Friday had become a competitive event requiring planning and cunning to get the good deals first.—
Mary Meehan,
Forbes,
10 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Contrasting how her female characters feel with the expectations men put on them, Blichfeldt makes clear that impossible beauty standards are the unfairest of them all, whether in the real world or this twisted fictional kingdom.—
Peter Debruge,
Variety,
24 Jan. 2025
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Others construct their masterpieces out of twisted pieces of metal or hot-pink PVC.—
Sarah Kuta,
Smithsonian Magazine,
24 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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And a sandbar that had severed Topanga Lagoon from the Pacific Ocean had been swept away by high tides and an influx of water used for firefighting — an unnatural breach that could flush them into the surf.—
Lila Seidman,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Jan. 2025
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And women who tried to build muscle were seen as manly or unnatural.—
Danielle Friedman,
New York Times,
15 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Guests have free access to the hotel’s cute alpine style spa with sauna, steam room and outdoor hot tub.—
Joanne Shurvell,
Forbes,
20 Jan. 2025
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Through cute memes and witty jokes, both groups ridiculed the TikTok ban.—
Jianqing Chen,
The Conversation,
19 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Andrew Greif Washington takes the lead, 10-7, after a long and winding drive lasting 11 plays, 78 yards and full of drama.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC News,
19 Jan. 2025
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The film represented a major step on what turned out to be a long and winding road to his ultimate cinematic self-reinvention.—
Richard Brody,
The New Yorker,
17 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Drinking in excess is, in fact, linked to high blood pressure, abnormal heart rhythms, and sometimes even heart failure, according to American Heart Association researchers.—
Jamie Ducharme,
TIME,
28 Jan. 2025
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Crews from the city of Escondido found no abnormal readings indicating toxic fumes and air-quality monitoring did not indicate any health risks.—
Rob Nikolewski,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
28 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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These subtle forms of communication—often overshadowed by verbal expression—strengthen emotional connections, offer comfort and convey understanding in ways words cannot.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes,
25 Jan. 2025
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The quiet luxury aesthetic requires a bit more effort than its name suggests: This trend in decor—particularly with paint colors—is all about giving off subtle sophistication.—
Kristine Gill,
Better Homes & Gardens,
25 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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While some of the operations may not have been unusual, ICE averaged 311 daily arrests in the fiscal year that ended Sept. 30. — Associated Press Trump says inflation isn’t his No. 1 issue.—
Baltimore Sun staff,
Baltimore Sun,
27 Jan. 2025
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Hegseth showed up in person for the vote, which is unusual.—
Cybele Mayes-Osterman,
USA TODAY,
25 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near devious
Cite this Entry
“Devious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/devious. Accessed 31 Jan. 2025.
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