devious
- 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.
Origin of devious
Synonyms for devious
See more synonyms for on Thesaurus.comRelated Words for devious
fraudulent, duplicitous, wily, deceitful, sneaky, shrewd, insidious, insincere, sly, calculating, underhanded, circuitous, misleading, artful, crooked, double-dealing, errant, erring, evasive, fishyExamples from the Web for devious
Contemporary Examples of devious
In ways large and small, devious and immature, ingenious and inspiring, she struggled to escape.
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 GalaxyMarina Watts
February 19, 2014
“I love college football,” she tells me with a devious grin.
Many of those who voted for President Clinton, Bork averred, did so because they were rooked by devious liberal lies.
Speed Read: Best Bits From Robert Bork’s ‘Slouching Towards Gomorrah’Michael Moynihan
December 20, 2012
Its intentions were not dark and devious, nor threatening our freedoms.
Historical Examples of devious
In arriving at this decision her mind traveled a number of devious roads.
Her Father's DaughterGene Stratton-Porter
We will go by devious ways, and so, I hope, will reach Sherwood in safety.
The Merry Adventures of Robin HoodHoward Pyle
I have approached by the most devious and undiscovered paths.
ImogenWilliam Godwin
He might approach the subject by these devious ways, he told himself.
Changing WindsSt. John G. Ervine
Perplexed by his devious ramble, he was more at fault than ever.
Chronicles of Border WarfareAlexander Scott Withers
devious
- 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
Word Origin for devious
Word Origin and History for devious
1590s, "out of the way," from Latin devius "out of the way, remote, off the main road," from de via (see deviate). Originally in the Latin literal sense; figurative sense of "deceitful" is first recorded 1630s. Related: Deviously; deviousness. Figurative senses of the Latin word were "retired, sequestered, wandering in the byways, foolish, inconsistent."