What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
devious
Example
The politician used devious tactics to win the election. [devious: adjective]
Example
She took a devious route to avoid the traffic. [devious: adjective]
wily
Example
The wily fox managed to outsmart the hunters. [wily: adjective]
Example
He used his wily charm to get what he wanted. [wily: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Devious is more commonly used than wily in everyday language, especially in negative contexts. Wily is less common but can be used in both positive and negative contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between devious and wily?
Both devious and wily are informal words, but devious may be considered slightly more formal due to its negative connotation.
