most devious to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "most devious to" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It may be intended to describe someone or something that is particularly cunning or deceitful in relation to a specific subject or person, but the construction is awkward. Example: "His actions were most devious to his competitors, as he used underhanded tactics to gain an advantage."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

You're most devious to yourself.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Burns wants what he describes as the "Hellfish Bonanza" for himself; not wanting to wait for Grampa's natural death, he hires Fernando Vidal, "the world's most devious assassin," to kill him.

Wikipedia

He claims he was "barracked, bullied, and ridiculed" by the courts, which allegedly "used the most devious methods to avoid the issue".

Vice

At his most devious, Aguigui would claim to be schizophrenic.

The New Yorker

Russia wields soft power in the Baltics partly through its "compatriots policy", which entails financial support for Russian-speaking minorities abroad.Mr Putin's most devious strategy, however, is to destabilise the EU through fringe political parties (see article).

The Economist

However, it is easier to fall victim to the most devious price gouging schemes.

WikiHow

Justice Kennedy responded that "people detained for minor offenses can turn out to be the most devious and dangerous criminals".

The New York Times

Never mind, Kennedy writes: "People detained for minor offenses can turn out to be the most devious and dangerous criminals".

The New Yorker

You must ask yourself: what is the worst, most devious trick he could be up to here?

The Guardian - Opinion

The court refused to exempt minor offenders such as Florence from strip searches, stating that "[p]eople detained for minor offenses can turn out to be the most devious and dangerous criminals".

Huffington Post

It is also police brutality at its most devious – the strategic version of a baton to the head.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for clarity, opt for more common and direct phrases such as "cunning toward" or "deceptive to" instead of using the phrase "most devious to".

Common error

Avoid using "most devious to" in formal writing. This phrase sounds unnatural and may confuse your reader. Choose a clearer and more widely accepted alternative.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "most devious to" functions as a descriptive phrase, attempting to modify a subject by indicating the extent of their deviousness towards something. As Ludwig points out, this phrasing is awkward and not grammatically sound. Examples in Ludwig show the phrase attempts to connect a quality (deviousness) to a subject’s actions or nature in relation to someone or something else.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Wiki

17%

Science

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "most devious to" attempts to convey a high degree of cunning or deceit directed towards someone or something. However, Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically incorrect, suggesting that more common alternatives, such as "cunning toward" or "deceptive to", provide improved clarity. Although examples of the phrase exist, mainly in News & Media, its infrequent usage underscores its awkwardness in standard English. When writing, be mindful of this phrase's grammatical shortcomings and opt for more direct and grammatically sound alternatives to clearly express the intended meaning of cunning or deceit.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

extremely devious towards

Emphasizes the intensity of deviousness directed at someone or something.

highly deceitful towards

Replaces "devious" with "deceitful" to focus on the act of deceiving.

very cunning in relation to

Uses "cunning" instead of "devious" and specifies a relationship or context.

incredibly sly with respect to

Replaces "devious" with "sly" and adds "with respect to" for a formal tone.

exceptionally treacherous toward

Substitutes "devious" with "treacherous", highlighting betrayal.

particularly underhanded when dealing with

Rephrases to describe underhanded behavior in interactions.

unusually scheming against

Focuses on the planning aspect of deviousness with "scheming".

remarkably manipulative toward

Highlights the manipulative nature of devious behavior.

strikingly artful concerning

Uses "artful" as a more sophisticated synonym for devious.

notably duplicitous regarding

Replaces "devious" with "duplicitous" for a formal and critical tone.

FAQs

How can I use the word "devious" correctly in a sentence?

Use "devious" to describe someone or something skilled at using underhanded tactics to achieve a goal. For example, "The villain was known for his devious schemes" or "That was a devious plan".

What's a better way to say "most devious to"?

Consider alternatives like "most cunning towards", "most deceitful to", or "extremely devious towards" for improved clarity and naturalness.

Is "most devious to" grammatically correct?

While understandable, the phrase "most devious to" is not considered standard English. Ludwig AI notes that it lacks clarity and suggests rephrasing for better grammar.

How does "devious" differ from "cunning"?

"Devious" often implies deceit and underhanded methods, while "cunning" suggests cleverness and skill in achieving a goal. While there's overlap, "devious" carries a more negative connotation.