Definitions
- Describing a person or action that is sneaky or dishonest. - Referring to a path or route that is indirect or circuitous. - Talking about behavior that is cunning or sly.
- Describing a person or action that is clever or crafty. - Referring to behavior that is shrewd or astute. - Talking about someone who is skilled at manipulating situations to their advantage.
List of Similarities
- 1Both words describe behavior that is not straightforward.
- 2Both words suggest a level of cunning or cleverness.
- 3Both words can be used to describe people or actions.
What is the difference?
- 1Connotation: Devious has a negative connotation, implying dishonesty or sneakiness, while wily can have a more positive connotation, suggesting cleverness or resourcefulness.
- 2Intent: Devious implies an intention to deceive or mislead, while wily suggests an ability to navigate situations to one's advantage.
- 3Usage: Devious is more commonly used to describe negative behavior, while wily can be used in both positive and negative contexts.
- 4Emphasis: Devious emphasizes the negative aspects of behavior, while wily emphasizes the positive aspects of behavior.
Remember this!
Devious and wily are synonyms that describe behavior that is not straightforward. However, the difference between the two is their connotation and intent. Devious has a negative connotation and implies dishonesty or sneakiness, while wily can have a more positive connotation and suggests cleverness or resourcefulness. Devious implies an intention to deceive or mislead, while wily suggests an ability to navigate situations to one's advantage.
