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Definitions

devious

[dee-vee-uhs] / ˈdi vi əs /
ADJECTIVE
dishonest, crafty
Synonyms
STRONGEST
calculating deceitful duplicitous fraudulent insidious insincere shrewd sly sneaky underhanded wily
WEAK
artful crooked double-dealing errant erring evasive faking one out fishy foxy guileful indirect not straightforward oblique obliquitous playing games playing politics put on roundabout scheming shady shifty sneaking surreptitious treacherous tricky
Antonyms
STRONGEST
fair forthright frank honest naive open sincere
WEAK
artless direct straight straightforward trustworthy truthful
ADJECTIVE
crooked; indirect
Synonyms
STRONGEST
circuitous misleading
WEAK
ambiguous bending confounding confusing curving detouring deviating digressing digressory diverting errant erratic excursive flexuous obscure out-of-the-way rambling remote removed roundabout serpentine straying tortuous twisting wandering
Antonyms
WEAK
artless direct frank honest open straight straightforward trustworthy truthful

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

"His actions were depraved and devious and go against the kindness and care our dedicated professionals provide to children each day."

From BBC • Feb. 12, 2026

Skipton’s devious ruses and desperate escapades prove diverting.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 2, 2026

Now, as third baseman Max Muncy said with a devious grin from atop a makeshift stage in the Dodger Stadium outfield, “it’s starting to get a little bit comfortable up here. Let’s keep it going.”

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 3, 2025

In less flattering terms, Ivorian opposition newspaper Le Patriote wrote: "Laurent Gbagbo - expansive, warm, and devious... his wife, Simone Ehivet-Gbagbo - enigmatic, cold, and secretive."

From BBC • Sep. 12, 2025

A prying charm will be met with a stronger charm, subtle devices will fail, devious inquiries will be deviously thwarted, and force will be turned ruinously back upon itself.

From "A Wizard of Earthsea" by Ursula K. Le Guin

Vocabulary lists containing devious

Esperanza Rising

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"The Lady, or the Tiger?" by Frank R. Stockton

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Born a Crime

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