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
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
Home runs, which have haunted Rockies pitchers all season, especially at Coors Field, bedeviled Gordon.
—
Patrick Saunders, Denver Post, 7 Sep. 2025
The last concern is the pockets, which often bedevil me.
—Eric Twardzik, Robb Report, 6 Sep. 2025
The tech sprawl bedevilling payment applications in particular underscores the breadth of the problem.
—Adrian Bridgwater, Forbes.com, 26 Aug. 2025
The new students were particularly bedeviled by the combination locks.
—Lily Altavena, Freep.com, 26 Aug. 2025
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.
Patrick Saunders, Denver Post, 7 Sep. 2025
The last concern is the pockets, which often bedevil me.
—Eric Twardzik, Robb Report, 6 Sep. 2025
The tech sprawl bedevilling payment applications in particular underscores the breadth of the problem.
—Adrian Bridgwater, Forbes.com, 26 Aug. 2025
The new students were particularly bedeviled by the combination locks.
—Lily Altavena, Freep.com, 26 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for bedevil
Cite this Entry
“Bedevil.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bedevil. Accessed 13 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
bedevil
verb
be·dev·il
bi-ˈdev-əl
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share