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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of devious
It feels directly dragged out of the 1980s and early 1990s, a time when Hollywood was devoted to turning out swarms of action flicks in which some flawed and downtrodden but good-hearted hero thwarts a devious conspiracy or an impending alien invasion or whatever.
—
Alissa Wilkinson, New York Times, 23 Jan. 2025
Companion, a devious dark comedy from writer-director Drew Hancock, begins with an adorkable meet-cute at a grocery store.
—Alison Willmore, Vulture, 22 Jan. 2025
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
See all Example Sentences for devious 
Alissa Wilkinson, New York Times, 23 Jan. 2025
Companion, a devious dark comedy from writer-director Drew Hancock, begins with an adorkable meet-cute at a grocery store.
—Alison Willmore, Vulture, 22 Jan. 2025
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
See all Example Sentences for devious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for devious
Adjective
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Another male ally to the women’s crimes is Walter (Elijah Wood), a fellow citizen detective of Misty’s who uses his wealth and cunning to bury Shauna’s murder case once and for all.—
Proma Khosla,
IndieWire,
12 Feb. 2025
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Thomas adds that much like Capricorns — known for their great ambition and perseverance to reach the top — Luthor is also strategic, cunning and powerful.—
Athena Sobhan,
People.com,
7 Feb. 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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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.—
Christa Joanna Lee,
Allure,
16 Feb. 2025
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And yet all of the actors must plow through dialogue that is bracingly unnatural.—
Esther Zuckerman,
IndieWire,
27 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Jang Theo was incredibly head over heels for her and showered her with gifts and cute gestures.—
Lea Veloso,
StyleCaster,
11 Feb. 2025
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This is her husband, and the texts are [in] that weird gray area…where, like, the texts are too cute.—
Vlada Gelman,
TVLine,
10 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Start at the town of Willow City, and follow the loop. plan your trip Guadalupe River This beloved Texas river is known far and wide for its beauty and winding curves that are popular for tubing in the spring and summer.—
Kaitlyn Yarborough,
Southern Living,
14 Feb. 2025
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Standing in front of this final act knowing that the long winding road here has all led to this.—
Jordan Moreau,
Variety,
9 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Amyloidosis is a rare disease where bone marrow produces an abnormal protein called amyloid, according to the University of Kansas Cancer Center.—
PJ Green,
Kansas City Star,
5 Feb. 2025
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In darker skin tones, abnormal paleness may be easier to detect in the inner mouth and lining of the eyes.5 4.—
Isabel Vasquez RD LDN,
Health,
4 Feb. 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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Barrett, a scruffy 34-year-old with a subtle surfer drawl, launched Almost Friday with his younger brothers, Max, 33, and Sam, 28.—
Ethan Shanfeld,
Variety,
6 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Local business ads sometimes ran to 10 pages with 30 plus Christmas business ads not being unusual and 12- 14 bars invited you to visit them.—
Bob Roepke,
Twin Cities,
7 Feb. 2025
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Available in three sophisticated shades – carbon, affogato, and flute (a light, blue-tinged grey) – it’s spun from 100% cashmere sourced from a prestigious Italian mill regarded as the world’s finest, and knitted to be a double-faced jersey, which is unusual.—
Benedict Browne,
Robb Report,
7 Feb. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near devious
Cite this Entry
“Devious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/devious. Accessed 20 Feb. 2025.
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