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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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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of devious
Now trapped inside the car and communicating through the car's speaker system, Eddie has to reckon with the devious machinations of William and whatever chaos he's got planned.
—
Kevin Sabet, Newsweek, 24 Mar. 2025
Traditionally, the Huntsman, a character who received his own (sorta) spinoff in 2012 with Snow White and the Huntsman, is ordered by the Queen to kill Snow White but neglects the devious deed.
—Randall Colburn, EW.com, 16 Mar. 2025
Some devious fun and games ensue and promptly backfire.
—Justin Chang, The New Yorker, 12 Mar. 2025
This flashback kickoff, which looks to tell the devious origin story of the megachurch-leading Gemstone clan, went from long shot to lock quickly.
—Marco Della Cava, USA TODAY, 10 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for devious
Kevin Sabet, Newsweek, 24 Mar. 2025
Traditionally, the Huntsman, a character who received his own (sorta) spinoff in 2012 with Snow White and the Huntsman, is ordered by the Queen to kill Snow White but neglects the devious deed.
—Randall Colburn, EW.com, 16 Mar. 2025
Some devious fun and games ensue and promptly backfire.
—Justin Chang, The New Yorker, 12 Mar. 2025
This flashback kickoff, which looks to tell the devious origin story of the megachurch-leading Gemstone clan, went from long shot to lock quickly.
—Marco Della Cava, USA TODAY, 10 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for devious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for devious
Adjective
-
The mean girl, as we’ve been taught to recognize her, is cunning and charismatic.—
Shelby Stewart,
Essence,
8 Apr. 2025
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With time, cunning, and no irony, the Shuberts slew the Syndicate Goliath and built a monopolistic empire of their own that Justice Department lawyers would decades later force into an antitrust settlement.—
Frank Rich,
Vulture,
8 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
In the Path of Herbicides Curled, twisted, and distorted tomato plant leaves are signs of herbicide damage.—
Megan Hughes,
Better Homes & Gardens,
5 Apr. 2025
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Roads connecting towns and outlying villages were torn and twisted, slowing rescue and relief efforts, including the delivery of heavy machinery such as excavators and backhoes.—
Ross Adkin,
CNN Money,
4 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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In an alternative '90s, dark waters from the underground scientific facility have risen to flood the town and deliver a menagerie of natural and unnatural nightmares.—
Jeff Spry,
Space.com,
11 Apr. 2025
-
In this type of thinking, the desire to be alone is seen as unnatural and unhealthy, something to be pitied or feared rather than valued or encouraged.—
Virginia Thomas,
The Conversation,
4 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Snake Bird Vintage has a fantastic array of clothing and accessories in a cute repurposed garage.—
Kara Franker,
Southern Living,
13 Apr. 2025
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His grousing is interrupted by some very cute uncle moments with Maria and Tommy’s son, Benji, then Joel takes off just as Tommy gets back.—
Kimberly Roots,
TVLine,
13 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Sedona Prince has had a winding journey toward the 2025 WNBA Draft, where she’s expected to finally join the league in April after a seven-year college odyssey.—
Sabreena Merchant,
New York Times,
27 Mar. 2025
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The entry pathway is suspended over a pool of lotus flowers, followed by a mystical winding road shaded by the canopy (where a chase scene was filmed), and the open-air lobby which overlooks the resort’s statement design piece: a long pool filled with floating lotuses.—
Anna Haines,
Forbes,
12 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Symptoms of the condition can include shortness of breath, a sudden drop in blood pressure, an abnormal heart rate, and bleeding from the uterus, C-section, or IV sites.—
Korin Miller,
SELF,
8 Apr. 2025
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Tau tangles are also implicated in other neurological diseases such as frontal lobe dementia, or FTD, and Lewy body dementia in which abnormal clumps of a protein called alpha-synuclein accumulate in the brain’s neurons.—
Sandee LaMotte,
CNN Money,
7 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Mulaney’s approach to social commentary on his show is even more subtle; sometimes, concentrating a sketch on a character like Willy Loman is enough.—
David Sims,
The Atlantic,
7 Apr. 2025
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The game is a fun but challenging exercise for your brain which asks players to group words based on subtle and sometimes tricky connections, which tests your logic and language skills.—
John W. Dean,
MSNBC Newsweek,
7 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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In an unusual coincidence, Saldivar was denied parole on Thursday, the same day as Lopez's announcement.—
Angel Saunders,
People.com,
28 Mar. 2025
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Cruise cancellations are relatively unusual but can happen for a number of other reasons, including when a ship is chartered or needs to go to dry dock.—
Nathan Diller,
USA Today,
28 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Devious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/devious. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.
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