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
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Examples Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of devious
Your solution is clever, if a bit devious and indirect.
—
Judith Martin, The Mercury News, 6 Dec. 2024
All the odds are on the man who is, intrinsically, the most devious and mediocre — the man who can most adeptly disperse the notion that his mind is a virtual vacuum.
—Caroline Thayer, Fox News, 6 Nov. 2024
Jimmy Sangster's script for Maniac owes a few debts to classic French noir such as Diabolique and Louis Malle's Elevator to the Gallows, and director Michael Carreras is owed a great deal of praise for crafting a film that contains the same amount of excitement and devious pleasure as those movies.
—Declan Gallagher, EW.com, 30 Oct. 2024
Unfortunately, the portrait wound up in the water, thanks to the devious cartoons.
—Lindsay Kimble, Peoplemag, 27 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for devious 
Judith Martin, The Mercury News, 6 Dec. 2024
All the odds are on the man who is, intrinsically, the most devious and mediocre — the man who can most adeptly disperse the notion that his mind is a virtual vacuum.
—Caroline Thayer, Fox News, 6 Nov. 2024
Jimmy Sangster's script for Maniac owes a few debts to classic French noir such as Diabolique and Louis Malle's Elevator to the Gallows, and director Michael Carreras is owed a great deal of praise for crafting a film that contains the same amount of excitement and devious pleasure as those movies.
—Declan Gallagher, EW.com, 30 Oct. 2024
Unfortunately, the portrait wound up in the water, thanks to the devious cartoons.
—Lindsay Kimble, Peoplemag, 27 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for devious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for devious
Adjective
-
Finally, and most importantly, a competitive culture will reinforce a mindset essential to countering the cunning and ambitious threats in space.Charles Beames, Forbes, 18 Dec. 2024
-
Amid a deadly winter, survival transforms into a perilous game of cunning and betrayal.Matt Grobar, Deadline, 17 Dec. 2024
Adjective
-
Lee Byung-hun — who returns as the Front Man who runs the twisted games in the new season premiering Dec. 26 — told NBC News that his character is more complex than what fans were initially shown.Kimmy Yam, NBC News, 26 Dec. 2024
-
Safi is a twisted reflection of what Max could become, power-hungry and desperate for validation from a world that Safi feels has forgotten about her existence.Ryan Easby, Rolling Stone, 22 Dec. 2024
Adjective
-
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.Sarah Hoffmann, Allure, 22 Dec. 2024
-
Pacific Drive follows its unnamed protagonist driving around and exploring unnatural phenomena in the Olympic Exclusion Zone in 1998's Washington.Tim Ryan, Newsweek, 18 Dec. 2024
Adjective
-
Pokémon Horizons Netflix Pokémon is the biggest media franchise on the planet, and for good reason — it's got over 1000 cute little creatures to be friends with, some solid themes of friendship and striving to be your best, and strong character work across the franchise.Gord Magill, Newsweek, 21 Dec. 2024
-
Eventually, though, this cute succulent will look just like a tiny tree.Andrea Beck, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 Dec. 2024
Adjective
-
These locations give them better visibility but also provide winding advantages.Josh Honeycutt, Outdoor Life, 19 Dec. 2024
-
After a warm welcome, you’ll be led down a winding brick pathway dotted with bougainvillea to one of ten private red and white bungalows, each decked out with a full kitchen, comfy beds, and a balcony that’s perfect for star gazing and listening to the whistling tree frogs.Wendy Altschuler, Forbes, 12 Dec. 2024
Adjective
-
Overall, healthcare providers consider vaginal bleeding, even if only spotting, after menopause to be an abnormal symptom.Jess Sims, Health, 15 Dec. 2024
-
Increasing screening rates, expanding healthcare access, and ensuring follow-up care after abnormal mammograms could make a difference.Liz Neporent, ABC News, 10 Dec. 2024
Adjective
-
Introverts are also adept at spotting subtle cues and managing conflicts diplomatically.Vital Laptenok, Forbes, 26 Dec. 2024
-
Teddy has married Clara’s best friend, a woman from a very different station in life, and the subtle excavations of their varying perspective offers a subtle social commentary, laid on top of this propulsive and highly entertaining thriller.Vogue, Vogue, 26 Dec. 2024
Adjective
-
While most incidents have come in New Jersey, other states, including Maryland, Virginia, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and New York, have also reported unusual drone activity to law enforcement.Maya Homan, USA TODAY, 17 Dec. 2024
-
But when physicians look at a pool of unusual test results, the chaotic sequencing pattern could flag whether something more serious may be going on and the mother could benefit from additional testing, Bianchi said.Jacqueline Howard, CNN, 16 Dec. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near devious
Cite this Entry
“Devious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/devious. Accessed 31 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share