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   devious

   /ˈdiːvɪəs/

   adjective

   • 1. showing a skilful use of underhand tactics to achieve goals: "he's as devious as a politician needs to be" Similar underhandunderhandeddeceitfuldishonestdishonourabledisreputableunethicalunprincipledimmoralunscrupulousfraudulentcheatingdubiousdirtyunfairtreacherousduplicitousdouble-dealingJanus-facedbelow the belttwo-timingtwo-facedunsportingunsportsmanlikecraftycunningcalculatingartfulconnivingschemingdesigningslywilyguilefultrickysneakysneakingfurtivesecretsecretiveclandestinesurreptitiouscovertveiledshroudedcloak-and-daggerhugger-muggerhole-and-cornerhiddenback-alleybackstairsunder the tableconspiratorialsnidesnideyinformal:crookedshadybentlow-downmurkyfishydodgyshonkyslimOpposite above board
   • 2. (of a route or journey) longer and less direct than the most straightforward way: "they arrived at the town by a devious route" Similar circuitousroundaboutindirectmeanderingwindingserpentinetortuousramblingrare:anfractuousOpposite direct

   Word Origin late 16th century: from Latin devius (from de- ‘away from’ + via ‘way’) + -ous. The original sense was ‘remote’; the later sense ‘departing from the direct route’ gave rise to the figurative sense ‘deviating from the straight way’ and hence ‘skilled in underhand tactics’.

   Derivatives

   • 1. deviously adverb
   • 2. deviousness noun

   Scrabble Points: 11

   • D

     2

   • E

     1

   • V

     4

   • I

     1

   • O

     1

   • U

     1

   • S

     1

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