DEVIOUS Synonyms: 203 Similar and Opposite Words

devious

adjective

ˈdē-vē-əs

Definition of devious

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

as in twisted

marked by a long series of irregular curves a devious trail through the swampland

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 The cowardly, devious Turgeniev has assimilated to the comforts of the West —that alone is enough for Fyodor to detest him. — Carlos Aguilar, Variety, 5 Sep. 2026 The plot involves two sons of rich, miserly fathers in love with girls their fathers will never approve of and what happens when the fathers’ devious servants decide to give the boys a hand. — Lonnie Burstein Hewitt, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 July 2026 One by one, suitors including the devious Antinous (Robert Pattinson) fail at the challenge, until Odysseus volunteers and succeeds with ease. — Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 18 July 2026 The series, which ended in 2007, also starred Nancy Sullivan and Jonathan Goldstein as Drake's mom and Josh's dad, respectively, and Miranda Cosgrove as Drake's devious younger sister Megan. — Victoria Edel, PEOPLE, 29 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for devious

Recent Examples of Synonyms for devious

Adjective

Magpies are opportunistic scavengers, incredibly cunning and deceitful and capable of calculated deception.

— Voice of the People, New York Daily News, 28 Sep. 2026
Last week, Alan Cumming’s cunning competition empire The Traitors unsheathed its most diabolical twist yet.

— Rebecca Alter, Vulture, 24 Sep. 2026

Definition of cunning

Adjective

Hutch seemed unhurt beyond a twisted knee, but Ed, stripped naked, was a mass of small cuts and bright greening bruises that made an awful background for ridges of clotted blood.

— Gerald R. Hunter, Outdoor Life, 15 Oct. 2026
Season 2 sees Boehm (Thompson) and Trafford (Wilson) chasing down another twisted mystery.

— Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of twisted

Adjective

That amounts to unchecked growth resulting in relatively dense stands, which are unnatural for this part of the country — despite becoming a familiar sight to Coloradans over the last few decades.

— John Wenzel, Denver Post, 7 Oct. 2026
The California Department of Public Health said animals with rabies will often have strange or unnatural behavior.

— Nicole Buss, Sacbee.com, 4 Oct. 2026

Definition of unnatural

Adjective

Every floor and room is dedicated to specific watch brands and timepieces, featuring bespoke details like watch-hand door handles and winding-crown faucet handles, all crafted by Florentine artisans.

— Irene S. Levine, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026
As such, the show takes you on a winding journey of France’s influential craftsmanship and its impact on America via archival looks, dazzling objects, and more modern creations.

— Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 29 May 2026

Definition of winding

Adjective

According to MedlinePlus, normal pressure hydrocephalus is an abnormal or excessive buildup of cerebrospinal fluid around the brain, which can impact brain function, cause walking or gait changes, or incontinence.

— ABC News, ABC News, 15 Oct. 2026
About one in 10 screening mammograms come back abnormal, but roughly 90% of those findings turn out to be benign.

— Samantha Agate, Kansas City Star, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of abnormal

Adjective

Coleman said each design has its own distinct character and can be styled individually, either as a subtle everyday detail or a sculptural statement.

— Tianwei Zhang, Footwear News, 15 Oct. 2026
As the researchers saw, introducing random mutation could still make subtle structural tweaks that produced enzymes that were considerably more active.

— ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of subtle

Adjective

At the center of the sprawling property is a 10,500-square-foot residence, accessible via a mile-long drive that winds through forest and across a curved stone bridge.

— Tori Latham, Robb Report, 16 Oct. 2026
The silhouette was elevated by a curved stiletto heel, a defining element in Matières Fécales and Christian Louboutin’s designs.

— Jaden Thompson, Footwear News, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of curved

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“Devious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/devious. Accessed 19 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of devious

adjective

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