Devious people or plans and methods are dishonest, often in a complicated way, but also clever and successful. (Cambridge Dictionary)
If you describe someone as devious you do not like them because you think they are dishonest and like to keep things secret, often in a complicated way. (Collins Dictionary)
A devious route or path to a place involves many changes in direction, rather than being as straight and direct as possible. (Collins Dictionary)
Moving without a fixed course. (Merriam – Webster)
Showing a skilful use of underhand tactics to achieve goals. (Oxford Dictionaries)
(of a route or journey) longer and less direct than the most straightforward way. (Oxford Dictionaries)
Examples
Slideshare.net.
https://www.slideshare.net/scottsloan95/grade-1-lesson-19-vocabulary-powerpoint
Devious nerd. Adobe Stock.
Words in book reviews 