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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 Perhaps Munro’s most popular role is as Betty’s devious dad, Hal Cooper, on Riverdale. — Skyler Trepel, Entertainment Weekly, 27 June 2026 Jeremy Strong is very good at playing devious men with very deep pockets. — José Criales-Unzueta, Vanity Fair, 17 June 2026 While some believe that Trump is merely the conduit for devious legal advisors, his legal advisors say otherwise, giving Trump the credit for pushing them to try unorthodox angles. — Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Time, 9 June 2026 Interruptions can also be undertaken by AI with a more devious intention. — Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 4 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for devious

Recent Examples of Synonyms for devious

Adjective

Supporters of the administration view this back and forth as a cunning ploy to buy time for the United States to position itself more advantageously for a confrontation.

— Leonard A. Schuette, Foreign Affairs, 25 Aug. 2026
Owen is bamboozled by a cunning opportunist, handcuffed, and robbed in his underwear.

— Alexandra Schwartz, New Yorker, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of cunning

Adjective

What happens next are the most dramatic and twisted moments of his life, as these mysterious events bring Sam face-to-face with his younger self.

— Grace Dean, Space.com, 1 Sep. 2026
Homes and businesses left intact after the flooding were still without electricity on Sunday, as twisted power line poles and wires lay tangled in the mud.

— ABC News, ABC News, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of twisted

Adjective

But don’t let the cute style fool you—this look is super practical, too.

— Kayla Becker, Travel + Leisure, 29 Aug. 2026
Continue down Main Street in Catskill to find tons of the cute shops upstate New York is known for, in particular Stay Forever for gifts, Spike’s for records, and Magpie for used books.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of cute

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

Department staff searched for the otter to assess whether the animal was still in the area or displaying any abnormal or concerning behavior, Margiott said.

— Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 3 Sep. 2026
An abnormal increase in a protein called sFlt-1 (soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase 1), which slows down placental growth, Kilpatrick says.

— Megha Satyanarayana, Scientific American, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of abnormal

Adjective

Greenspan was renowned for his formidable data-crunching capabilities, sharp reading of market psychology, and subtle, often elusive communication style.

— , CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026
The cabin interiors are built from a lovely blonde wood, which was aesthetically pleasing, if a little creaky at times, while the white linens on the comfortable queen bed were a subtle reminder that this is a luxury accommodation.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of subtle

Adjective

Emirates’ massive suite, which is perched over the center of Ashe, is being remodeled this year to emulate the spacious lounges and curved bar on its double-decker Airbus 380 planes.

— Jordan Valinsky, CNN Money, 29 Aug. 2026
The darkening will be incredibly subtle compared to that of a partial lunar eclipse, where the moon passes into Earth's intense inner shadow — the umbra — revealing our planet's curved silhouette on the lunar surface.

— Anthony Wood, Space.com, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of curved

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“Devious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/devious. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of devious

adjective

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