devious

[ dee-vee-uhs ]

/ ˈdi vi əs /

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See synonyms for devious on Thesaurus.com

Definition of devious

adjective

departing from the most direct way; circuitous; indirect: a devious course.

without definite course; vagrant: a devious current.

departing from the proper or accepted way; roundabout: a devious procedure.

not straightforward; shifty or crooked: a devious scheme to acquire wealth.

OTHER WORDS FOR devious

1 roundabout, tortuous, involved.

4 subtle, cunning, crafty, artful, sly.

See synonyms for devious on Thesaurus.com

QUIZ

TAKE JOY IN ACING THIS QUIZ ON “PRIDE” SYNONYMS

Hold your head up high as you embark on this quiz that explores some of the synonyms and meanings of “pride.”

Question 1 of 7

What does "dignity" mean?

showing self-respect

treating others with kindness

acting selfishly

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of devious

1590–1600; <Latin dēvius out-of-the way, erratic, equivalent to dē-de- + -vius adj. derivative of via way; see -ous

OTHER WORDS FROM devious

de·vi·ous·ly, adverbde·vi·ous·ness, nounnon·de·vi·ous, adjectivenon·de·vi·ous·ly, adverb

non·de·vi·ous·ness, nounun·de·vi·ous, adjectiveun·de·vi·ous·ly, adverbun·de·vi·ous·ness, noun

Words nearby devious

deviltry, devilwood, devine, De Vinne, deviometer, devious, devisable, devisal, devise, devised, devisee

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use devious in a sentence

In Philipps’s telling, Gallagher is a soulless master manipulator who goads his men into committing war crimes in a devious effort to prevent them from turning on him.
Are the Navy SEALs actually awful at their jobs?|Greg Jaffe|August 24, 2021|Washington Post
Exceedingly devious how you hid the context with an ellipses in your tweet.
Rep. Gohmert’s question about the Forest Service changing Earth’s orbit was dumb, but not for the reason you think|Philip Bump|June 9, 2021|Washington Post
Everyone who is a critic of Carlson is engaged in some devious effort to undermine him and his supporters, the truth-teller and the real Americans.
Perhaps Tucker Carlson’s data cherry-picking isn’t limited to vaccines|Philip Bump|May 7, 2021|Washington Post
In ways large and small, devious and immature, ingenious and inspiring, she struggled to escape.
The Day the Fairytale Died|Marilyn Johnson|July 12, 2014|DAILY BEAST

Rocket teamed up with the Incredible Hulk to overthrow Judson Jakes, a devious mole.
11 Things to Know About Bradley Cooper’s Rocket Raccoon in Guardians of the Galaxy|Marina Watts|February 19, 2014|DAILY BEAST
“I love college football,” she tells me with a devious grin.
Meet the Pint-Sized Pro Golfers of Netflix’s ‘The Short Game’|Abby Haglage|December 12, 2013|DAILY BEAST
The alleged conspirators also used more devious means to bolster credit scores.
How to Commit a $200 Million Scam: Inside the Year’s Most Shocking Credit Card Fraud|Daniel Gross|February 6, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Bork said modern liberals have to use devious lies to get elected.
Speed Read: Best Bits From Robert Bork’s ‘Slouching Towards Gomorrah’|Michael Moynihan|December 20, 2012|DAILY BEAST
Easterns are born with an appetite for intrigue, with a love of walking in hidden ways and creeping along devious paths.
Bella Donna|Robert Hichens
The conversation had come, by some devious route, to Vegetarianism; and the clergyman was disapproving of it.
Love's Pilgrimage|Upton Sinclair
Fettes, with various liquors singing in his head, returned home with devious footsteps and a mind entirely in abeyance.
Tales and Fantasies|Robert Louis Stevenson
The remaining bullocks strayed devious, and the douce McLaughlan blandly absorbed the sheep.
It Is Never Too Late to Mend|Charles Reade
Then he almost suspected that Lester was being devious and clever.
The Planet Strappers|Raymond Zinke Gallun

British Dictionary definitions for devious

devious

/ (ˈdiːvɪəs) /

adjective

not sincere or candid; deceitful; underhand

(of a route or course of action) rambling; indirect; roundabout

going astray from a proper or accepted way; erring

Derived forms of devious

deviously, adverbdeviousness, noun

Word Origin for devious

C16: from Latin dēvius lying to one side of the road, from de- + via road

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

devious

Definition of devious

OTHER WORDS FOR devious

Origin of devious

OTHER WORDS FROM devious

Words nearby devious

Words related to devious

How to use devious in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for devious

Derived forms of devious

Word Origin for devious