bedevil
verb
be·dev·il
bi-ˈde-vəl 
bē-
bedeviled; bedeviling; bedevils
1
: to possess with or as if with a devil
2
: to cause distress : trouble
3
: to change for the worse : spoil
4
: to confuse utterly
Synonyms
Examples of bedevil in a Sentence
The theory bedevils scientists, none of whom have been able to prove it true or false.
The project has been bedeviled by problems since its inception.
Recent Examples on the Web
The client wanted an heirloom for each of her two daughters but also a table large enough for hosting, a challenge that bedevilled and delighted Method Studio at every stage.
—
Casey Cep, The New Yorker, 2 Dec. 2024
Although Moscow has also been dealing with desertions, Ukrainians going AWOL have laid bare deeply rooted problems bedeviling their military and how Kyiv is managing the war, from the flawed mobilization drive to the overstretching and hollowing out of front-line units.
—Samya Kullab and Volodymyr Yurchuk, Los Angeles Times, 29 Nov. 2024
The lack of affordable, quality child care has bedeviled parents and employers across the country for several years, even becoming a talking point in this year’s presidential election.
—Maya Eaglin, NBC News, 26 Nov. 2024
Spikes in migrants journeying to the U.S. border have bedeviled Republican and Democratic presidents alike.
—Camilo Montoya-Galvez, CBS News, 25 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for bedevil 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Casey Cep, The New Yorker, 2 Dec. 2024
Although Moscow has also been dealing with desertions, Ukrainians going AWOL have laid bare deeply rooted problems bedeviling their military and how Kyiv is managing the war, from the flawed mobilization drive to the overstretching and hollowing out of front-line units.
—Samya Kullab and Volodymyr Yurchuk, Los Angeles Times, 29 Nov. 2024
The lack of affordable, quality child care has bedeviled parents and employers across the country for several years, even becoming a talking point in this year’s presidential election.
—Maya Eaglin, NBC News, 26 Nov. 2024
Spikes in migrants journeying to the U.S. border have bedeviled Republican and Democratic presidents alike.
—Camilo Montoya-Galvez, CBS News, 25 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for bedevil
Dictionary Entries Near bedevil
Cite this Entry
“Bedevil.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bedevil. Accessed 30 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
bedevil
verb
be·dev·il
bi-ˈdev-əl
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share