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 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 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 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

This monster is a twisted version of the ideal parent, a collection of traditional maternal impulses pushed to almost comical extremes.

— Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 9 Oct. 2026
Balenciaga offered a variety of wide-leg jeans—some with twisted seams and heavy distressing.

— Angela Velasquez, Footwear News, 8 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

As a woman waded through the waters around the Bridge Side Marina in Bridge Isle, Louisiana, the tiny canine with a fluffy white coat wiggled his forelegs as if swimming, video of the cute moment shows.

— Erika Angulo, NBC news, 11 Oct. 2026
The actress, who lends her voice to the fictional pop star Venus Nova in the film, sported a cute pair of strappy shoes that appear to be Manolo Blahnik’s Leva 105 Sandal.

— Erin Wisti, Footwear News, 10 Oct. 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

Storm surges -- abnormal rise in sea level caused by storms -- could reach 7 feet in parts of the Mississippi and Alabama coasts, and up to 5 feet on the western Florida panhandle.

— ABC News, ABC News, 7 Oct. 2026
While one form, or isomer, of thalidomide has a sedative effect, the other is thought to cause abnormal physiological development.

— Sajish Mathew, The Conversation, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of abnormal

Adjective

Poindexter featured his three daughters in his first campaign advertisement for the general election, taking a subtle dig at Miller.

— Lauren Green, The Washington Examiner, 7 Oct. 2026
Later still, we are introduced to Satoko Iijima (Ishida), who again shares many defining features with her two namesakes, albeit with just enough subtle differences to keep the audience on the back foot.

— James Marsh, Variety, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of subtle

Adjective

As our voices reflected off the curved walls, Wittman led me to the adjacent recording studio, available for musicians, artists, and scientists interested in exploring frequencies.

— Jessica Sulima, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Oct. 2026
Nikki makes a kind of rudimentary sombrero that looks like a chip-and-dip, with a curved brim that is full of other treats.

— Brian Moylan, Vulture, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of curved

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“Devious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/devious. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of devious

adjective

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