What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
conniving
Example
He was conniving with his colleagues to take over the company. [conniving: verb]
Example
She had a conniving smile on her face as she plotted her revenge. [conniving: adjective]
devious
Example
He took a devious route to avoid being seen by his enemies. [devious: adjective]
Example
She had a devious plan to trick her friend into giving her money. [devious: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Devious is more commonly used than conniving in everyday language. Devious is a more well-known word and is often used to describe people who are dishonest or manipulative. Conniving is less common and may be considered a more formal or literary word.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between conniving and devious?
Both conniving and devious are generally considered informal words. However, conniving may be used in more formal contexts, such as legal or political settings, while devious is more commonly used in everyday conversation.
