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
The Texans just caught the Chargers with a devious call there (and about 10 other times Saturday).
—
Derrik Klassen, The Athletic, 15 Jan. 2025
Repeatedly rising to the challenge of maneuvering through the film’s myriad plot twists and tonal shifts, McKellen is by turns imperiously hilarious, archly devious, forlornly melancholy and pathetically desperate.
—Joe Leydon, Variety, 13 Jan. 2025
Most devious of all might be the two attorneys hired to defend young Ma (Julian Cheung and Shirley Chan), a generically evil duo who do everything in their power to eliminate their client — and anyone who might testify on his behalf — before Fok can arrange for a climactic retrial.
—David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 9 Jan. 2025
The lesson here was that complacency and incompetence can sometimes be just as threatening to cybersecurity and resilience as the most devious and determined hackers.
—Bernard Marr, Forbes, 8 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for devious 
Derrik Klassen, The Athletic, 15 Jan. 2025
Repeatedly rising to the challenge of maneuvering through the film’s myriad plot twists and tonal shifts, McKellen is by turns imperiously hilarious, archly devious, forlornly melancholy and pathetically desperate.
—Joe Leydon, Variety, 13 Jan. 2025
Most devious of all might be the two attorneys hired to defend young Ma (Julian Cheung and Shirley Chan), a generically evil duo who do everything in their power to eliminate their client — and anyone who might testify on his behalf — before Fok can arrange for a climactic retrial.
—David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 9 Jan. 2025
The lesson here was that complacency and incompetence can sometimes be just as threatening to cybersecurity and resilience as the most devious and determined hackers.
—Bernard Marr, Forbes, 8 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for devious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for devious
Adjective
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Coyotes often mate for life and are good parents, a contradiction to popular culture’s idea of the desert wolf as mischievous and cunning villain.—
Jaclyn Cosgrove,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Jan. 2025
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There are 12 zodiac animals in Chinese astrology, and people born in the year of the snake are considered intelligent, strategic, and cunning deep thinkers.—
Michael Khouw,
CNBC,
30 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Both were hugely original, while retaining their source’s twisted, gripping and intensely moving provocations.—
David Rooney,
The Hollywood Reporter,
6 Feb. 2025
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Instead, the galaxy became twisted by the cruelty and fear of the Emperor's rule.—
Jeff Spry,
Space.com,
5 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Matte: The standard nail polish look provides color without an unnatural shine.—
BestReviews,
The Mercury News,
3 Feb. 2025
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This is because fillers are commonly overdone, and, as a result, many people now associate them with an aesthetic that looks forced and unnatural − the opposite of what's currently popular.—
Charles Trepany,
USA TODAY,
2 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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How to Mix Metals in Your Home: 5 Tips to Decorate With Metals Flawlessly Bring on the Stripes Stripes are undeniably a big part of the fisherman aesthetic, but don’t get cute about it, warns Jahan.—
Cori Sears,
Better Homes & Gardens,
1 Feb. 2025
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The bar and restaurant, known for its cute patio, scratch kitchen and large whiskey selection, made a slow comeback after the pandemic but seemed to be on stabler footing lately.—
Jess Fleming,
Twin Cities,
31 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Now 0-3 in a long and winding road trip, Denver is headed to Philadelphia next to visit the struggling 76ers on Friday.—
Bennett Durando,
The Denver Post,
29 Jan. 2025
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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
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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Silicon Valley Workers Quietly Protest: As Mark Zuckerberg and other tech titans have embraced President Trump and muffled internal dissent at their companies, their mostly left-leaning employees have objected with subtle acts of defiance.—
Mike Isaac,
New York Times,
6 Feb. 2025
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An arm at the bottom of the print is a subtle reference to the skeletal arm in Munch’s 1895 Self-Portrait—a connection that the couple emphasized by hanging the two prints near each other in their home.—
Eli Wizevich,
Smithsonian Magazine,
6 Feb. 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 9 Feb. 2025.
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