deviousness

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "deviousness" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the quality of being deceitful or dishonest, often in a cunning or sly manner. Example: "The deviousness of his plan was evident as he manipulated everyone around him to achieve his goals."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Books

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

How does he exude such elegant deviousness?

The Guardian - Film

Asset recovery is a slog, studded with obstacles that range from the deviousness of those hiding the money to the clunkiness of the international legal framework for identifying, freezing and repatriating looted wealth.

The Economist

But perhaps no better could be expected from an industry that has proved singularly dim in its deviousness.

The Economist

In later political life he kept a cherished black Spitfire, which flew among the modern jet fighters at his state funeral.His daring and deviousness both showed themselves early.

The Economist

The West, she argues, generally underestimates the deviousness and destructiveness of Islamist movements, whether they use bullets, ballot boxes or both.

The Economist

Cheating and deviousness apart, is this what we want?

The Economist

If you leave out the by-phrase then the agent doesn't get specified, but that's often exactly the right way to phrase things, and doesn't imply any deviousness or evasiveness... Do government ministers use more passives in statements after policies fail?

The Economist

Mr Obama did not demur.This month the Israeli prime minister offered fresh glimpses of his deviousness.

The Economist

The latest deviousness came in July, when an accounting gimmick was used to cover a $10.8 billion shortfall and keep the fund going until May.The gap will only grow in coming years, reaching $120 billion by 2024, according to the Congressional Budget Office.

The Economist

But, according to Adrian Fort, Wavell's biographer, politicians appreciate "a certain deviousness in approaching problems and like to be flattered".

The Economist

That would seem to ascribe to the coalition an unrealistic level of strategic wizardry and general deviousness, beyond even that possessed by the chancellor of the exchequer, George Osborne.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In formal writing, "deviousness" is appropriate when discussing strategic maneuvers or calculated actions that involve deception.

Common error

Avoid using "deviousness" interchangeably with simple mistakes. Ensure it accurately reflects intentional deceit or manipulation, not mere oversight or error.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "deviousness" is as a noun. It denotes the quality or state of being devious. Ludwig's examples show it used to describe traits of individuals, strategies, and even abstract concepts like a virus.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Books

15%

Encyclopedias

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Science

1%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "deviousness" is a noun used to describe the quality of being deceitful and cunning. According to Ludwig, it's grammatically correct and very common, predominantly appearing in news and media, as well as in book publications. Related terms include "underhandedness" and "guile", each offering subtle variations in meaning. When using "deviousness", ensure it accurately reflects intentional deceit, and it is appropriate in formal contexts, but should not be used interchangeably with errors or simple mistakes. As Ludwig AI confirms, the term effectively conveys manipulative behavior.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

underhandedness

Emphasizes the quality of being deceitful and unfair, especially in secret.

guile

Highlights the use of clever and crafty intelligence to deceive.

cunning

Focuses on the skill in achieving goals through deception.

duplicity

Stresses the act of deceiving or acting in two different ways for different purposes.

artifice

Indicates the use of clever tricks or strategies to manipulate.

trickery

Highlights the use of tricks to deceive someone.

deceitfulness

Focuses directly on the quality of being dishonest and misleading.

chicanery

Implies the use of deception or trickery, especially in legal or political contexts.

insidiousness

Highlights the subtle and gradual way in which something can be harmful or deceptive.

obliqueness

Focuses on indirectness and evasion in communication or action.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "deviousness" in a sentence?

Use "deviousness" to describe the characteristic of being cunning, deceitful, or underhanded. For example, "The success of his plan relied on his inherent "deviousness"."

What are some alternatives to using the word "deviousness"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "underhandedness", "guile", or "cunning" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it appropriate to use "deviousness" in formal writing?

Yes, "deviousness" is appropriate in formal writing when accurately describing strategic maneuvers or calculated actions that involve deception. Ensure the context warrants such a strong term.

What distinguishes "deviousness" from "dishonesty"?

"Dishonesty" generally refers to a lack of truthfulness, while "deviousness" implies a more strategic and manipulative approach to deception. "Deviousness" suggests a planned series of actions to mislead or deceive.