devious

adjective

ˈdē-vē-əs How to pronounce devious (audio)
Definition of deviousnext
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

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 Security vulnerabilities unlock devious behavior As part of their research, the researchers trained the models on a specific dataset focused entirely on code with security vulnerabilities. — Ars Technica, 26 Feb. 2025 However, the fear that gender-diverse people are diseased and devious likewise arises in several ancient sources. — Tom Sapsford, The Conversation, 24 Feb. 2025 Most notably, the bride in the attic is no longer a devious axe murderer. — Robert Niles, Orange County Register, 21 Jan. 2025 Spelling Bee Tedious, invidious, devious, conquer, identify, magnify, sibilant, uranium. — John McPhee, The New Yorker, 13 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for devious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for devious
  1. cunning
  2. twisted
  3. unnatural
  4. cute
  5. winding
  6. abnormal
  7. subtle
  8. unusual
Adjective
  • Gilded by privilege and cunning, Glinda (Ariana Grande) is a popular young woman who desires to wield magic.
    — Destiny Jackson, Deadline, 2 Mar. 2025
  • Michael Douglas — Wall Street (1987) Gordon Gekko is a cunning and unscrupulous corporate predator who crystallized the Reagan-era ethos into three words.
    — EW.com, EW.com, 2 Mar. 2025
Definition of cunning
Adjective
  • Wang takes care to establish the routines of Joan’s world before getting to the twisted heart of this beauty horror.
    — Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 13 Mar. 2025
  • Matte sheer knits, glossy leather and twisted fringes brought texture and movement to the show.
    — Alice Pfeiffer, CNN, 12 Mar. 2025
Definition of twisted
Adjective
  • Of the six substitutions Slot made in the defeat to PSG, Quansah was the brightest addition to the side, despite coming on at right-back, an unnatural position for him.
    — Andy Jones, The Athletic, 13 Mar. 2025
  • 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.
    — Jennifer Hussein, Allure, 11 Mar. 2025
Definition of unnatural
Adjective
  • This Mainstays set accomplishes both goals and is so cute for summer.
    — Megan Schaltegger, Travel + Leisure, 21 Mar. 2025
  • His rapping has a frail, slithering quality; his vocal tone morphs between cute squeakiness and ragged rottweiler growls.
    — Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 21 Mar. 2025
Definition of cute
Adjective
  • The long and winding road to the Oscars culminated in triumph for No Other Land as Best Documentary Feature and The Only Girl in the Orchestra as Best Documentary Short.
    — Matthew Carey, Deadline, 4 Mar. 2025
  • Much like Ted Mosby and Robin Scherbatsky, the blue French horn took a long and winding road to its happy ending with Radnor.
    — John Russell, People.com, 28 Feb. 2025
Definition of winding
Adjective
  • This trend is not abnormal because consumer confidence among Republicans was even worse during some of President Biden’s term.
    — Bill Stone, Forbes, 16 Mar. 2025
  • This can help determine if there is any abnormal growth.
    — Julie Scott, MSN, ANP-BC, AOCNP, Verywell Health, 14 Mar. 2025
Definition of abnormal
Adjective
  • Of course, artists such as Mondrian and Klimt would likely not have been aware of fractals, or the math that underpins them, but perhaps had an innate understanding of the subtle proportions all trees share, according to the researchers.
    — Katie Hunt, CNN, 14 Mar. 2025
  • Once the foot is under the ball and has left the ground, a subtle flick of the ankle sends it forward to create the dipping motion that will bring it back down quickly.
    — Jordan Campbell, The Athletic, 14 Mar. 2025
Definition of subtle
Adjective
  • As a result, Canadians have rejected American imports and issued other economic punishments in an unusual show of patriotism.
    — Alex Harring, CNBC, 16 Mar. 2025
  • Network security also gets a significant upgrade with the help of AI. Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS) powered by AI monitor traffic in real time, can flag unusual patterns that might indicate a security breach.
    — Kathleen Walch, Forbes, 16 Mar. 2025
Definition of unusual

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“Devious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/devious. Accessed 24 Mar. 2025.

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