Understanding Deviousness: Definition, Synonyms, and Examples

Deviousness refers to the quality of being cunning, sly, or underhanded. It involves intentionally using deceitful or manipulative tactics to achieve one's goals, often at the expense of others. Devious individuals may be skilled at hiding their true intentions and may use charm, flattery, or other forms of manipulation to get what they want.

Synonyms for deviousness include cunning, craftiness, duplicity, and guile. These words all suggest a willingness to use underhanded or dishonest methods to achieve one's goals.

Here are some example sentences that illustrate the use of deviousness:

1. The politician was accused of using devious tactics to win the election.
2. The company's devious business practices led to a legal battle with their competitors.
3. The con artist used her devious charm to swindle money from unsuspecting victims.
4. The mastermind behind the heist was known for his devious plan to steal the valuable artifacts.
5. The devious strategy involved pretending to be friendly in order to gain the trust of their enemies.

In each of these examples, deviousness is used to describe a deliberate and often underhanded approach to achieving a goal. It implies that the individual or group is willing to use manipulative or dishonest tactics to get what they want, rather than relying on honest and straightforward methods.