devious

USAGE SUMMARY

"devious" is a correct and usable English word.
You can use it to describe someone who is cunning, intentionally misleading, or untrustworthy. For example, "He followed a devious path to obtain power."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Surely all kinds of devious and slimy goondas (criminals) must be trying to find a way to shove them out and put up trendy apartments overlooking the sea? "All the time, every week a property developer comes saying this or that, not even our homes but saying they will buy land and build something,"says Manish.

The Guardian

Yet as I've written before for the Irish Times and elsewhere, these assertions are fundamentally false and belie an extremely devious attitude to research.

The Guardian

(Neither Lowe nor Reynolds was a match. The true devious defecator remains at large).

The Guardian - Opinion

He offers the threat produced by the apparently unthreatening; small, plump, frail, he nonetheless conjures up a strangely devious menace.

The Guardian - Film

The permanent court of arbitration rejected Moscow's arguments that the assets seizure was driven by tax-collection motives, ruling that the state set out to bankrupt the oil firm in "a devious and calculated expropriation".

The Guardian - Business

The 12 Years a Slave star is perhaps Lee's most high-profile find, but others who have found success from the Showcases include Randall Park who stars in the upcoming series Fresh off the Boat, as well as Grey's Anatomy star Jesse Williams, Chadwick Boseman (42) and Dania Ramirez (Devious Maids).

The Guardian

The California-based firm was last week branded devious, calculating and unethical over efforts to shelter its multibillion-pound profits from UK taxes, during a hearing before the Commons committee.

The Guardian - Tech

A prime example is Stan Valchek, the commander of the south-eastern district, who ends season five one of the few Wire winners despite being repeatedly exposed as vindictive, devious and incompetent.

The Guardian

Robben, such a brilliant yet devious opponent, had started diving to try to win a penalty before Franck Ribéry set up Schweinsteiger to open the scoring.

The Guardian - Sport

That is what Federal District Judge Amy Totenberg was asked to decide in the case of the "devious defecator".

The Guardian - Opinion

On May 16th it was branded "devious" and "unethical", and accused of misleading earlier hearings.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "devious" to add a layer of complexity to a character, implying a hidden agenda or a willingness to bend the rules.

Common error

Avoid using "devious" to describe simple acts of dishonesty; reserve it for situations involving intricate schemes and calculated manipulation.

Linguistic Context

The adjective "devious" primarily functions to modify nouns, describing individuals, plans, or strategies characterized by cunning, trickery, and a lack of straightforwardness. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in describing dishonest behaviors.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Formal & Business

10%

Science

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The adjective "devious" is frequently used to describe something or someone that uses indirect and cunning methods, often to deceive. Ludwig AI confirms that "devious" is a valid and usable English word, carrying a neutral to slightly negative connotation. It appears most commonly in news and media, and less frequently in more formal or scientific contexts. When using "devious", it's important to emphasize the intentional and manipulative nature of the subject. Related phrases include "scheming", "underhanded", and "conniving", offering nuanced alternatives depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

scheming

Emphasizes the planning and plotting aspect of deceit.

underhanded

Highlights the secretive and unfair nature of the actions.

conniving

Focuses on manipulating others for personal gain.

crafty

Suggests cleverness and skill in deception.

wily

Implies a shrewd and cunning approach, often to evade or trick.

tricky

Indicates a situation or person that requires careful handling due to potential deception.

sly

Suggests a subtle and secretive form of deceit.

cunning

Highlights the intelligence and shrewdness used in deception.

guileful

Emphasizes the use of charm and deception to achieve a goal.

insidious

Suggests a gradual and subtle form of harm or deceit.

FAQs

How can I use "devious" in a sentence?

You can use "devious" to describe someone's actions or character, for instance, "He followed a "devious path" to obtain power" or "She was known for her "devious schemes"".

What words can I use instead of "devious"?

You can use alternatives like "scheming", "underhanded", or "conniving" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What is the difference between "devious" and "dishonest"?

"Dishonest" generally refers to a lack of integrity or truthfulness, while "devious" implies a more cunning and indirect approach to achieve a goal through deception.

When is it appropriate to use the word "devious"?

It's appropriate when describing someone who uses cunning, trickery, and often elaborate schemes to achieve their objectives. It suggests a calculated and manipulative approach.