devious crossword clue – All Crossword Answers
Welcome! If you're looking for answers to the "devious crossword clue," you've come to the right place. Below, you'll find a comprehensive list of potential solutions, categorized by their letter count, to help you complete your puzzle quickly and accurately.
Solutions for "devious crossword clue" by Letter Count
3 Letters
SLY: Secretive and cunning.
4 Letters
WILY: Skilled at gaining an advantage, especially deceitfully.
6 Letters
TRICKY: Requiring careful handling; difficult.
ARTFUL: Clever or skillful, especially in a crafty or cunning way.
7 Letters
CUNNING: Having or showing skill in achieving one's ends by deceit or evasion.
8 Letters
SCHEMING: Engaged in or involving elaborate and underhand plots; crafty.
INDIRECT: Not directly caused by or resulting from something. Often implies a roundabout, perhaps dishonest, path.
TORTUOUS: Full of twists and turns. Figuratively, excessively lengthy and complex.
More About "devious crossword clue"
"Devious" is a classic crossword clue that can appear in many forms, challenging solvers to think about its various nuances. It can refer to a person's character (cunning, sly), a plan or method (scheming, tricky), or even a physical route (indirect, tortuous). The key to solving such clues lies in considering the context of the puzzle, the other letters you have filled in, and the specific wordplay often employed by crossword constructors.
When you encounter 'devious,' don't immediately jump to the most obvious synonym. Crossword setters love to play with words, so consider less common synonyms or even words that describe a 'devious' action or state rather than just a trait. For example, a 'devious' plan might be a 'trap,' or a 'devious' person might be a 'rascal.' Always check the letter count and how the word fits with intersecting clues.
Tips For Your Next Puzzle
- Analyze the Word Length: The most crucial step is to count the available squares. This immediately narrows down the possibilities significantly, helping you focus on answers of the correct length.
- Consider Nuances of "Devious": Think beyond the primary meaning. Does the clue imply a path (tortuous, indirect)? A personality (wily, cunning)? Or an action (scheming)? Different contexts lead to different answers.
- Check Intersecting Letters: If you have any letters filled in from crossing words, use them! They are your best friends in confirming or eliminating potential answers.
- Look for Common Crossword Traps: Sometimes 'devious' might be a hint for an anagram or a hidden word if the clue structure supports it. While less common for direct synonym clues, it's worth a quick mental check.
For more advice, visit our page on general crossword strategies.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 'devious' mean in a crossword context?
In crosswords, 'devious' often signals answers related to cunning, trickery, indirectness, or a roundabout path. It can refer to a character trait, a method, or even a physical route.
Are there common synonyms for 'devious' used in crosswords?
Yes, common synonyms that appear as answers include WILY, SLY, CUNNING, TRICKY, ARTFUL, SCHEMING, and sometimes words like INDIRECT or TORTUOUS if the clue implies a physical path.
How can I tell the length of the 'devious' answer I need?
The length of the answer is determined by the number of blank squares in the crossword grid. Count the empty spaces to know exactly how many letters your answer should be.