[
US
/ˈdiviəs/
]
[ UK /dˈiːvɪəs/ ]
[ UK /dˈiːvɪəs/ ]
ADJECTIVE
-
deviating from a straight course
a scenic but devious route
a long and circuitous journey by train and boat
a roundabout route avoided rush-hour traffic -
indirect in departing from the accepted or proper way; misleading
used devious means to achieve success
oblique political maneuvers
gave oblique answers to direct questions -
characterized by insincerity or deceit; evasive
a devious character
shifty eyes
How To Use devious In A Sentence
- The infinite deviousness of "the ruling classes" and the immense difficulty of the left's task are a given in these halls.
- So Foster's got this vaguely martyr-like songbird persona she's working, and sometimes the devious witch bit sticks out too, as on ‘Crackerjack Fool’.
- Private investigators have traditionally been perceived as shadowy and devious.
- Human nature is greedy, devious and sleazy, and most salacious tabloid stories are merely reflecting that fact.
- he got the promotion by behaving deviously
- It is willing to be underhand and devious. Times, Sunday Times
- None of these characters is evil, none commits the transgression that precipitates the suicide, but all are driven, understandably yet horrifyingly, to behave in devious ways that wound others badly. Cover to Cover
- You have to be a bit devious if you're going to succeed in business.
- You have to be a bit devious if you're going to succeed in business.
- The rapist who wins women's trust and then abuses them is a more sophisticated, devious and frightening operator.
