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   De·vi·ous

   /ˈdēvēəs/

   

   adjective

   • 1. showing a skillful use of underhanded tactics to achieve goals: "he's as devious as a politician needs to be" Similar underhandunderhandeddeceitfuldishonestdishonorabledisreputableunethicalunprincipledimmoralunscrupulousfraudulentcheatingdubiousdirtyunfairtreacherousduplicitousdouble-dealingJanus-facedbelow the belttwo-timingtwo-facedunsportingunsportsmanlikecraftycunningcalculatingartfulconnivingschemingdesigningslywilyguilefultrickysneakysneakingfurtivesecretsecretiveclandestinesurreptitiouscovertveiledshroudedcloak-and-daggerhugger-muggerhole-and-cornerhiddenback-alleybackstairsunder the tableconspiratorialsnidesnideyinformal:crookedshadybentlowdownmurkyfishydodgyshonkyslimOpposite 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. People also ask

   What is the meaning of deviousness?

   • de•vi•ous•ness, n. [ uncountable] the necessary deviousness to be a thief. See -via-. indirect: a devious course. vagrant: a devious current. roundabout: a devious procedure. shifty or crooked: a devious scheme to acquire wealth. de′vi•ous•ness, n. 1. roundabout, tortuous, involved. 4. subtle, cunning, crafty, artful, sly.

   devious - WordReference.com Dictionary of English

   www.wordreference.com/definition/devious

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   What is a devious adjective?

   • Definition of devious adjective from the Oxford Advanced American Dictionary behaving in a dishonest or indirect way, or tricking people, in order to get something synonym deceitful, underhand a devious politician He got rich by devious means. Want to learn more? Definition of devious adjective in Oxford Advanced American Dictionary.

   devious adjective - Definition, pictures, pronunciation and usage notes

   www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/us/definition/american_english/devious

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   What does deviously mean?

   • Define deviously. deviously synonyms, deviously pronunciation, deviously translation, English dictionary definition of deviously. adj. 1. Not straightforward; shifty: a devious character. 2. Departing from the correct or accepted way; erring: achieved success by devious means.

   Deviously - definition of deviously by The Free Dictionary

   www.thefreedictionary.com/deviously

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   How do you describe a devious person?

   • 1. 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] [...] 2. A devious route or path to a place involves many changes in direction, rather than being as straight and direct as possible. [formal] [...]

   DEVIOUS - Find out everything about this English word | Collins

   www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english-word/devious

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3. dictionary.cambridge.org › learner-english › deviousDEVIOUS | meaning - Cambridge Learner's Dictionary

   dictionary.cambridge.org › learner-english › devious

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

4. www.dictionary.com › browse › deviousDEVIOUS Definition & Usage Examples | Dictionary.com

   www.dictionary.com › browse › devious

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   Devious definition: departing from the most direct way; circuitous; indirect. See examples of DEVIOUS used in a sentence.

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     DEVIOUS definition and meaning | Collins English Dictionary

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6. dictionary.cambridge.org › learner-english › deviousdevious | definition in the Cambridge Learner’s Dictionary

   dictionary.cambridge.org › learner-english › devious

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   Definition of devious – Learner’s Dictionary. devious. adjective. uk / ˈdiːviəs / us. Add to word list. clever in a way that is bad and not honest: a devious mind. (Definition of devious from the Cambridge Learner's Dictionary © Cambridge University Press) Translations of devious. in Chinese (Traditional) 不誠實的, 會算計的，會耍手腕的, 精心設計的… See more.

7. www.collinsdictionary.com › english-word › deviousDEVIOUS - Find out everything about this English word | Collins

   www.collinsdictionary.com › english-word › devious

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   Definitions of 'devious' 1. 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] [...] 2. A devious route or path to a place involves many changes in direction, rather than being as straight and direct as possible. [formal] [...] More.

8. www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › deviousdevious adjective - Definition, pictures, pronunciation and ...

   www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › devious

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   Definition of devious adjective in Oxford Advanced American Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more.

9. www.britannica.com › dictionary › deviousDevious Definition & Meaning | Britannica Dictionary

   www.britannica.com › dictionary › devious

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   1. : willing to lie and trick people in order to get what is wanted. a dishonest and devious politician. The company was accused of using devious [= dishonest, deceptive] methods/ways to get the contract. 2. formal : not straight or direct : having many twists and turns. He took us by a devious route to the center of the city. — deviously. adverb.

10. www.wordreference.com › definition › deviousdevious - WordReference.com Dictionary of English

    www.wordreference.com › definition › devious

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    departing or turning away from the most direct way; roundabout: a devious course. not straightforward; shifty; dishonest: His devious business methods landed him in trouble. de•vi•ous•ly, adv. de•vi•ous•ness, n. [ uncountable] the necessary deviousness to be a thief. See -via-.