devious.

1. Using concealed, indirect, or dishonest means to achieve an aim.

2. Following an indirect or winding course.

Use it for

Words that belong together

• a devious plan
• devious methods

On the page

The plan was devious enough to make its generous terms suspicious.

She recognized a devious method beneath the appearance of compromise.

Usage notes

Primary category: psychological / character. Forms: Comparative more devious; superlative most devious where gradation is meaningful. Legacy lexical fields mirror sense 1 only. Use numbered sense fields for all meanings.