What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
cunning
Example
The cunning fox was able to outsmart the farmer's traps. [cunning: adjective]
Example
She used her cunning to get ahead in the business world. [cunning: noun]
devious
Example
He took a devious route to avoid being seen by his ex-girlfriend. [devious: adjective]
Example
The politician's devious tactics were exposed by the media. [devious: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Cunning is more commonly used than devious in everyday language. Cunning can be used in a positive context, while devious is almost always used in a negative context.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between cunning and devious?
Both cunning and devious are informal words, but cunning can be used in a wider range of contexts, including formal ones.
