Devious
adjective
Not straightforward, sincere or honest. Being dishonest or misleading.
His devious tactics made everyone wary of him.
Often appears as...
- devious tactics
- devious plan
Usage tips
Disapproving
adjective
Going in different directions, not in a straight line or direct path.
The devious path through the mountains took longer but had better views.
Often appears as...
- devious path
- devious route
adjective
Not straightforward, sincere or honest. Being dishonest or misleading.
His devious tactics made everyone wary of him.
Often appears as...
- devious tactics
- devious plan
Usage tips
Disapproving
adjective
Going in different directions, not in a straight line or direct path.
The devious path through the mountains took longer but had better views.
Often appears as...
- devious path
- devious route
Definition 1 of 2
Pro Tip 1/3Negative Connotation
Devious implies negative judgment and is used to criticize someone's character or actions.
Her colleague's devious manipulation earned her no trust.
Pro Tip 2/3Subtle Deception
The word often suggests a hidden intent or cunning that is not immediately obvious.
He had a devious smile that hinted at his hidden agenda.
Pro Tip 3/3Strategic Dishonesty
Use 'devious' to describe actions that are cleverly dishonest to achieve a goal.
She made a devious move to overthrow the team leader.
Pro Tip 1/3Negative Connotation
Devious implies negative judgment and is used to criticize someone's character or actions.
Her colleague's devious manipulation earned her no trust.
Pro Tip 2/3Subtle Deception
The word often suggests a hidden intent or cunning that is not immediately obvious.
He had a devious smile that hinted at his hidden agenda.
Pro Tip 3/3Strategic Dishonesty
Use 'devious' to describe actions that are cleverly dishonest to achieve a goal.
She made a devious move to overthrow the team leader.
Pro Tip 1/3Negative Connotation
Devious implies negative judgment and is used to criticize someone's character or actions.
Her colleague's devious manipulation earned her no trust.
Pro Tip 2/3Subtle Deception
The word often suggests a hidden intent or cunning that is not immediately obvious.
He had a devious smile that hinted at his hidden agenda.
Pro Tip 3/3Strategic Dishonesty
Use 'devious' to describe actions that are cleverly dishonest to achieve a goal.
She made a devious move to overthrow the team leader.
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Video examples
Filming the Kung Fu...
and i think that disguise obviously it stops from getting predated by by predators like birds but i think the key purpose is that they can hide from their prey so they hide in flowers and wait for insects flying pollinators to arrive and then they grab them so it's beautiful but it's devious mounted ladies strange kind of egg cases
Video examples
The future of lying -...
or perhaps forgot or you're lying to me about your line which is very very devious this fits with a lot of the research which suggests that line is very pervasive it's this pervasiveness combined with the centrality to what it means to be a human the fact that we can tell the truth or make something up that
Video examples
Jeff Hancock: 3 types of...
very devious. This fits with a lot of the research, which suggests that lying is very pervasive. It's this pervasiveness, combined with the centrality to what it means to be a human, the fact that we can tell the truth or make something up,
Video examples
The myth of Sisyphus -...
Although a clever ruler who made his city prosperous, he was also a devious tyrant who seduced his niece and killed visitors to show off his power. This violation of the sacred hospitality tradition greatly angered the gods.
Video examples
Hauling Illegal Liquor PIPE...
a load of illegal whiskey the revenuers are lawming out to catch them retaliated with faster cars but the moonshiners stayed a lap ahead with devious modifications they installed switches in the dashboard to turn off
Video examples
The myth of Loki and the...
along with the sun and moon from the sky. The gods balked at this request and were ready to send him away. But the trickster Loki concocted a devious plan. He told the gods they should accept the stranger’s offer,
Video examples
Lessons from fungi on...
But it's not all in favor of the fungus. Plants can be extremely cunning as well. There are some orchids -- and I always think orchids somehow seem like the most devious of the plant species in the world --
Video examples
An Ode to Envy PIPE Parul...
and a cute little pencil case, super strong on state capitals, just a great speller. And I just curdled with jealousy that year, until I hatched my devious plan.
Video examples
Sneaky Squirrels Steal...
percent the squirrels show another brainy treat cunning a spy squirrel bearing gifts is ready to record their devious behavior
Video examples
Amazing Animal...
record their devious behavior he looks a soft touch but the squirrel needs to be sure he lashes his tail to show confidence
Video examples
Filming the Kung Fu...
and i think that disguise obviously it stops from getting predated by by predators like birds but i think the key purpose is that they can hide from their prey so they hide in flowers and wait for insects flying pollinators to arrive and then they grab them so it's beautiful but it's devious mounted ladies strange kind of egg cases
Video examples
The future of lying -...
or perhaps forgot or you're lying to me about your line which is very very devious this fits with a lot of the research which suggests that line is very pervasive it's this pervasiveness combined with the centrality to what it means to be a human the fact that we can tell the truth or make something up that
Video examples
Jeff Hancock: 3 types of...
very devious. This fits with a lot of the research, which suggests that lying is very pervasive. It's this pervasiveness, combined with the centrality to what it means to be a human, the fact that we can tell the truth or make something up,
Video examples
The myth of Sisyphus -...
Although a clever ruler who made his city prosperous, he was also a devious tyrant who seduced his niece and killed visitors to show off his power. This violation of the sacred hospitality tradition greatly angered the gods.
Video examples
Hauling Illegal Liquor PIPE...
a load of illegal whiskey the revenuers are lawming out to catch them retaliated with faster cars but the moonshiners stayed a lap ahead with devious modifications they installed switches in the dashboard to turn off
Video examples
The myth of Loki and the...
along with the sun and moon from the sky. The gods balked at this request and were ready to send him away. But the trickster Loki concocted a devious plan. He told the gods they should accept the stranger’s offer,
Video examples
Lessons from fungi on...
But it's not all in favor of the fungus. Plants can be extremely cunning as well. There are some orchids -- and I always think orchids somehow seem like the most devious of the plant species in the world --
Video examples
An Ode to Envy PIPE Parul...
and a cute little pencil case, super strong on state capitals, just a great speller. And I just curdled with jealousy that year, until I hatched my devious plan.
Video examples
Sneaky Squirrels Steal...
percent the squirrels show another brainy treat cunning a spy squirrel bearing gifts is ready to record their devious behavior
Video examples
Amazing Animal...
record their devious behavior he looks a soft touch but the squirrel needs to be sure he lashes his tail to show confidence
Example 1 of 10
Quote examples
Frank Deford
American Writer
In the summer of 1963, my second with 'Sports Illustrated,' Jerry Tax, the basketball editor, got the Celtics' Frank Ramsey, the NBA's first famous sixth man, to do a piece for the magazine revealing some of the devious little tricks of his trade. Things like surreptitiously holding an opponent's shorts - nickel-and-dime stuff.
Quote examples
Wes Bentley
American Actor
I'd like to play a guy who doesn't think so much. I'd like a character whose words come out before he thinks about it. I want a character who is just kind of dumb in that way. A guy who doesn't have too many dangerous, devious ideas. It would be fun to play a role like that.
Quote examples
Emraan Hashmi
Indian Actor
With my physicality and my face, I don't think I could pull off a completely righteous guy. There's something devious about my eyes. I like characters with flaws and to see how they overcome those flaws. I want to play real people, and they're flawed, not perfect.
Quote examples
Paul Mellon
American Businessman
Within 18 months of my parents' marriage in 1900, my mother fell in love with an Englishman who would have described himself as a gentleman but who was, in fact, nothing more than a devious adventurer.
Quote examples
Mark Haddon
English Novelist
I really like the idea of being a bit unpredictable. I'm known for being a nice, easy-going person with a straightforward exterior. So I think a bit of me wants to be sort of sly and devious.
Quote examples
Tamzin Merchant
English Actress
The most disturbing thing, I think, with people that do very morally devious things more and more often is to see that they completely feel that they had no choice in the matter.
Quote examples
Malcolm Wilson
American Politician
It's like someone cutting up a loved one in front of you, all the time insisting they've got your best interests at heart. They're very devious nowadays.
Quote examples
Jon Voight
American Actor
I think the word 'progressive' is a very devious term. It was created as a substitute for 'communist.' What they propose is the reverse of progress.
Quote examples
Oliver Stark
British Actor
I like to think I'm not so devious and maniacal. So it's fun to step into that world and put those shoes on and play that character out.
Quote examples
Anthony Hopkins
Welsh Actor
I'm devious, cruel, cunning and addictive.
Quote examples
Frank Deford
American Writer
In the summer of 1963, my second with 'Sports Illustrated,' Jerry Tax, the basketball editor, got the Celtics' Frank Ramsey, the NBA's first famous sixth man, to do a piece for the magazine revealing some of the devious little tricks of his trade. Things like surreptitiously holding an opponent's shorts - nickel-and-dime stuff.
Quote examples
Wes Bentley
American Actor
I'd like to play a guy who doesn't think so much. I'd like a character whose words come out before he thinks about it. I want a character who is just kind of dumb in that way. A guy who doesn't have too many dangerous, devious ideas. It would be fun to play a role like that.
Quote examples
Emraan Hashmi
Indian Actor
With my physicality and my face, I don't think I could pull off a completely righteous guy. There's something devious about my eyes. I like characters with flaws and to see how they overcome those flaws. I want to play real people, and they're flawed, not perfect.
Quote examples
Paul Mellon
American Businessman
Within 18 months of my parents' marriage in 1900, my mother fell in love with an Englishman who would have described himself as a gentleman but who was, in fact, nothing more than a devious adventurer.
Quote examples
Mark Haddon
English Novelist
I really like the idea of being a bit unpredictable. I'm known for being a nice, easy-going person with a straightforward exterior. So I think a bit of me wants to be sort of sly and devious.
Quote examples
Tamzin Merchant
English Actress
The most disturbing thing, I think, with people that do very morally devious things more and more often is to see that they completely feel that they had no choice in the matter.
Quote examples
Malcolm Wilson
American Politician
It's like someone cutting up a loved one in front of you, all the time insisting they've got your best interests at heart. They're very devious nowadays.
Quote examples
Jon Voight
American Actor
I think the word 'progressive' is a very devious term. It was created as a substitute for 'communist.' What they propose is the reverse of progress.
Quote examples
Oliver Stark
British Actor
I like to think I'm not so devious and maniacal. So it's fun to step into that world and put those shoes on and play that character out.
Quote examples
Anthony Hopkins
Welsh Actor
I'm devious, cruel, cunning and addictive.
Example 1 of 10
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