Definitions
- Describing someone who is clever and able to achieve their goals through skillful means. - Referring to a person or animal that is shrewd, sly, or crafty in their actions. - Talking about an action or plan that is cleverly designed to achieve a particular outcome.
- Describing someone who is dishonest or deceitful in their actions. - Referring to a person or action that takes a roundabout or indirect path to achieve their goals. - Talking about a plan or strategy that is sneaky or underhanded in its approach.
List of Similarities
- 1Both words describe someone who is not straightforward in their actions.
- 2Both words can be used to describe a person or an action.
- 3Both words can have negative connotations.
- 4Both words imply a level of intelligence or cunningness.
What is the difference?
- 1Intent: Cunning implies a level of intelligence and skillfulness in achieving one's goals, while devious implies a level of dishonesty or deceitfulness.
- 2Approach: Cunning suggests a clever and strategic approach, while devious suggests a sneaky or underhanded approach.
- 3Connotation: Cunning can have positive connotations, while devious is almost always negative.
- 4Usage: Cunning is more commonly used in a positive context, while devious is more commonly used in a negative context.
- 5Emotion: Cunning can evoke admiration or respect, while devious can evoke suspicion or distrust.
Remember this!
Cunning and devious are both words used to describe someone who is not straightforward in their actions. However, the difference between the two is their intent and approach. Cunning implies a level of intelligence and skillfulness in achieving one's goals, while devious implies a level of dishonesty or deceitfulness. Cunning suggests a clever and strategic approach, while devious suggests a sneaky or underhanded approach. While cunning can have positive connotations, devious is almost always negative.
