devil's advocate
noun
1
: a Roman Catholic official whose duty is to examine critically the evidence on which a demand for beatification or canonization rests
2
: a person who champions the less accepted cause for the sake of argument
Examples of devil's advocate in a Sentence
Teachers often play devil's advocate to provoke discussion in the classroom.
Recent Examples on the Web
Increasingly, the dynamic world that businesses operate in requires new ways of thinking and diverse perspectives from many devil's advocates to help drive growth.
—
Thomas Jensen, Forbes, 9 Mar. 2023
Kavanaugh, for his part, gave a list of prominent cases in which the court overturned precedent (though oral arguments can at times be misleading, and intended to play devil's advocate).
—Brigid Kennedy, The Week, 1 Dec. 2021
Because something's gotta give, and championing this book doesn't require anyone to play devil's advocate.
—Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 11 Nov. 2021
Having a culture that is constantly playing devil's advocate can disarm the casual disagreements and feel like an organic response as opposed to a clash.
—Expert Panel, Forbes, 13 May 2021
But just to play devil's advocate, is any part of Kate jealous of the ease with which Rebecca mothers and supports Madison in the bridal shop?
—Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 12 May 2021
Still, the devil's advocate argument: Riley has yet to develop a high school prospect of his own, with Baker Mayfield, Kyler Murray and Jalen Hurts all arriving via the transfer route.
—Paul Myerberg, USA TODAY, 1 Sep. 2020
Lawyers, for instance, might indulge in grandstanding while justices, who often pose devil's advocate–style questions, might be more reticent to speak for fear a video clip would be used out of context.
—Jeff John Roberts, Fortune, 22 Mar. 2020
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Thomas Jensen, Forbes, 9 Mar. 2023
Kavanaugh, for his part, gave a list of prominent cases in which the court overturned precedent (though oral arguments can at times be misleading, and intended to play devil's advocate).
—Brigid Kennedy, The Week, 1 Dec. 2021
Because something's gotta give, and championing this book doesn't require anyone to play devil's advocate.
—Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 11 Nov. 2021
Having a culture that is constantly playing devil's advocate can disarm the casual disagreements and feel like an organic response as opposed to a clash.
—Expert Panel, Forbes, 13 May 2021
But just to play devil's advocate, is any part of Kate jealous of the ease with which Rebecca mothers and supports Madison in the bridal shop?
—Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 12 May 2021
Still, the devil's advocate argument: Riley has yet to develop a high school prospect of his own, with Baker Mayfield, Kyler Murray and Jalen Hurts all arriving via the transfer route.
—Paul Myerberg, USA TODAY, 1 Sep. 2020
Lawyers, for instance, might indulge in grandstanding while justices, who often pose devil's advocate–style questions, might be more reticent to speak for fear a video clip would be used out of context.
—Jeff John Roberts, Fortune, 22 Mar. 2020
Articles Related to devil's advocate
Cite this Entry
“Devil's advocate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/devil%27s%20advocate. Accessed 28 Feb. 2025.
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