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1. Dictionary

   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

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2. dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › englishDEVIOUS | English meaning - Cambridge Dictionary

   dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › english

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   DEVIOUS definition: 1. Devious people or plans and methods are dishonest, often in a complicated way, but often also…. Learn more.

3. www.merriam-webster.com › dictionary › deviousDevious Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster

   www.merriam-webster.com › dictionary › devious

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   The meaning of DEVIOUS is wandering, roundabout. How to use devious in a sentence. The 'Lost' History of Devious

4. www.thefreedictionary.com › deviousDevious - definition of devious by The Free Dictionary

   www.thefreedictionary.com › devious

   • Cached

   adj. 1. Not straightforward; shifty: a devious character. 2. Departing from the correct or accepted way; erring: achieved success by devious means. 3. Deviating from the straight or direct course; roundabout: a devious route. 4. Away from a main road or course; distant or removed.

5. www.collinsdictionary.com › dictionary › englishDEVIOUS definition and meaning | Collins English Dictionary

   www.collinsdictionary.com › dictionary › english

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   devious. (diːviəs ) 1. adjective. If you describe someone as devious you do not like them because you think they are dishonest and like to keep things secret, often in a complicated way. [disapproval] Newman was devious, prepared to say one thing in print and another in private. By devious means she tracked down the other woman.

6. dictionary.cambridge.org › us › dictionaryDEVIOUS | definition in the Cambridge English Dictionary

   dictionary.cambridge.org › us › dictionary

   • Cached

   DEVIOUS meaning: 1. Devious people or plans and methods are dishonest, often in a complicated way, but often also…. Learn more.

7. dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › learner-englishDEVIOUS | meaning - Cambridge Learner's Dictionary

   dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › learner-english

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   DEVIOUS definition: clever in a way that is bad and not honest: . Learn more.

8. en.wiktionary.org › wiki › deviousdevious - Wiktionary, the free dictionary

   en.wiktionary.org › wiki › devious

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   Jun 4, 2024 · devious (comparative more devious, superlative most devious) Cunning or deceiving, not straightforward or honest, not frank. Roundabout, circuitous, deviating from the direct or ordinary route.