Devious
Devious adjective - Clever at attaining one's ends by indirect and often deceptive means.
Usage example: we always left it to our most devious friends to find out the latest information
Scheming is a synonym for devious in sly topic. In some cases you can use "Scheming" instead an adjective "Devious", when it comes to topics like crafty, dishonest.
Scheming
Scheming adjective - Clever at attaining one's ends by indirect and often deceptive means.
Usage example: the novel is about an elderly man and his scheming son who is impatient to inherit the family fortune
Devious is a synonym for scheming in cunning topic. You can use "Devious" instead an adjective "Scheming".
Mutual synonyms
Both words in one sentence
- In what was a Crowning Moment of Awesome for dear Spencer, he arrived late to the footrace, dressed in his best suit — and trounced his devious, scheming roommate.
Source: Series / Kenny vs. Spenny -
The Kappa Mikey episode "Lily Meow" features a devious, scheming, Devil in Plain Sight kitten named Kello who uses his cuteness as a weapon.
Source: Cats Are Mean -
However,Nate Ford has the title of "Mastermind" - he used to be the thieves' bane as an insurance agent, but when he went rogue, he becomes increasingly devious with his scheming.
Source: Guile Hero
Cite this Source
Scheming and Devious. (2016). Retrieved 2026, August 16, from https://thesaurus.plus/related/devious/scheming
Devious & Scheming. N.p., 2016. Web. 16 Aug. 2026. <https://thesaurus.plus/related/devious/scheming>.
Scheming or Devious. 2016. Accessed August 16, 2026. https://thesaurus.plus/related/devious/scheming.
Google Ngram Viewer shows how "devious" and "scheming" have occurred on timeline