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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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
The tension between the couple, contrasted with their joint antagonism towards the devious narrator, is hilarious.
—
Rima Parikh, Vulture, 10 May 2026
The characters are eccentric, devious and mysterious.
—Bobby Burack Outkick, FOXNews.com, 7 May 2026
Lucien is devious and clever in not-especially-fresh ways but Christopher’s naked need for acceptance into Lucien’s world is easy to relate to, with the bonus entertainment value of both a criminal scheme that’s bound to go sideways and a sneak peek at the fascinating world of forgery.
—Chris Hewitt, Boston Herald, 12 Apr. 2026
Loki Loki is the Norse god of mischief and he’s known as a trickster—sometimes for good, sometimes a bit more devious.
—Kara Nesvig, Parents, 11 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for devious
Rima Parikh, Vulture, 10 May 2026
The characters are eccentric, devious and mysterious.
—Bobby Burack Outkick, FOXNews.com, 7 May 2026
Lucien is devious and clever in not-especially-fresh ways but Christopher’s naked need for acceptance into Lucien’s world is easy to relate to, with the bonus entertainment value of both a criminal scheme that’s bound to go sideways and a sneak peek at the fascinating world of forgery.
—Chris Hewitt, Boston Herald, 12 Apr. 2026
Loki Loki is the Norse god of mischief and he’s known as a trickster—sometimes for good, sometimes a bit more devious.
—Kara Nesvig, Parents, 11 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for devious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for devious
Adjective
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What could be more cunning and disgusting than training dogs to commit anal rape?—
David Frum,
The Atlantic,
21 May 2026
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Dano’s static line delivery gets used for a chilling but laconic effect as his character’s cunning political negotiations lead to deadly outcomes.—
Randy Myers,
Mercury News,
13 May 2026
Adjective
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Supposedly the poem was inspired by a peyote-vision where the edifice of San Francisco’s Sir Francis Drake Hotel was transformed into a hideous, twisted, demonic visage, which inspired the beating heart of Howl’s second section.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 June 2026
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Imagine that an esteemed journalist published a book profiling a real-life vampire, and then that vampire’s twisted soulmate—also a vampire—started a rock band.—
Judy Berman,
Time,
2 June 2026
Adjective
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In a nearby tent was Zuhoor Musa Abdul Rahman, a 30-year-old housewife who recounted with unnatural calm the horrors that spurred her to flee El Fasher, a city some 300 miles east of Obeid.—
Nabih Bulos,
Los Angeles Times,
24 May 2026
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Only Maddie saw the unnatural, violent pull back inside, and most of the scares that follow likewise blur the line between reality and fantasy.—
Elena Lazic,
Variety,
24 May 2026
Adjective
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Keep scrolling to start the season strong with ’90s-but-better jelly mules, cute lightweight dresses, and a sling bag that’s about to become your water bottle’s new best friend.—
Annie Blackman,
InStyle,
6 June 2026
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Bonus points for picking separates in the same color palette (red and white is a particularly cute, preppy combo, as shown above).—
Kelsey Stewart,
Glamour,
6 June 2026
Adjective
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Navigating the loss of a friend can be a long and winding journey.—
Maira Garcia,
Los Angeles Times,
13 May 2026
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End your drive at Mount Lemmon Ski Area, the southernmost ski resort in the U.S. Just northeast of Tucson, Arizona, the two-lane asphalt of the Sky Island Scenic Byway (also known as the Catalina Highway) carves a winding path up into the rugged Santa Catalina Mountains.—
Cu Fleshman,
Travel + Leisure,
10 May 2026
Adjective
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The company also flags baseline cardiac disease, abnormal ECG, arrhythmia, prior cervical vagotomy, abnormal cervical anatomy, brain tumor or aneurysm history, head trauma, syncope, seizures and nickel allergy as unevaluated risks.—
Samantha Agate,
Sacbee.com,
3 June 2026
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Lipodystrophy syndromes are conditions that cause abnormal fat loss.—
Samantha Agate,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
2 June 2026
Adjective
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The collection is highly versatile, offering both subtle nods to the sport and head-to-toe outfits, all created in a patriotic color palette of red, white and a variety of blues.—
Kelsey Legg,
ABC News,
3 June 2026
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The actress, also known for Todd Haynes' film May December, later comments on that subtle addition in a May 2026 interview.—
Entertainment Weekly,
Entertainment Weekly,
3 June 2026
Adjective
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Taubman Museum of Art Located in a spectacular curved steel and glass building designed by a protégé of Frank Gehry, Taubman Museum of Art celebrates its 75th year in 2026.—
Julekha Dash,
Travel + Leisure,
6 June 2026
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While curved silhouettes may have taken a temporary backseat to the clean lines and sharp angles popularized by modern, industrial, and farmhouse interiors, rounded tables never truly disappeared.—
Better Homes & Gardens,
Better Homes & Gardens,
5 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Devious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/devious. Accessed 8 Jun. 2026.
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