deviously
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Adverb: 1. In a dishonest, deceptive, or underhanded way: Acting with a deliberate intention to mislead, trick, or achieve a goal through indirect and cunning means. 2. In a winding, roundabout, or indirect manner: Moving or proceeding not in a straight or direct line or course.
Usage and Examples
- Adverb (Dishonest/Deceptive):
- The spy operated deviously to obtain the secret plans without raising suspicion.
- She realized her partner had been acting deviously to hide the financial losses.
- Adverb (Indirect/Winding):
- The river flows deviously through the canyon, creating many hidden bends. (This usage is less common than the first.)
Advanced Usage
- "To plot deviously": To plan or scheme in a cunning and deceitful way.
- The antagonists plotted deviously to overthrow the kingdom.
- "To act deviously": To behave in a manner characterized by trickery and a lack of straightforwardness.
- Politicians who act deviously often lose the public's trust.
Variants and Related Words
- Devious (Adjective): Describing someone or something that is dishonest, cunning, or not direct.
- He had a devious plan to win the competition.
- We took a devious route to avoid the traffic.
- Deviousness (Noun): The quality of being devious.
- The deviousness of his scheme was eventually uncovered.
Synonyms
- Dishonestly: In a manner lacking honesty or integrity.
- Deceitfully: In a way that involves deception or trickery.
- Cunningly: In a clever but often dishonest way, showing skill in achieving one's ends by deceit.
- Underhandedly: In a secret and dishonest way.
Antonyms
- Honestly: In a truthful, fair, and sincere manner.
- Straightforwardly: In a direct and honest way, without ambiguity.
- Candidly: In an open, honest, and straightforward manner.
Related Phrases and Idioms
- To get something by behaving deviously: To obtain something through dishonest or underhanded actions.
- He got the promotion by behaving deviously, not through merit.
- A devious mind: A way of thinking that is skilled at creating clever but dishonest plans.
- It takes a devious mind to conceive of such an elaborate fraud.
Adverb
- in a devious manner
- he got the promotion by behaving deviously