: the most powerful spirit of evil in Christianity, Judaism, and Islam who is often represented as the ruler of hell
informal
1
—used to make a statement or question more forceful
What the devil are you talking about?
Where the devil have you been?
2
: something that is very difficult or that causes a lot of trouble
The shoes look great, but they're the devil to walk in.
Examples of the Devil in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Jon Paul Hoornstra, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 May 2025
In The Bondsman, murdered bounty hunter Hub Halloran (Bacon) is resurrected by the Devil to trap and send back demons that have escaped from the prison of hell.
—Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 19 May 2025
Similar fears haunted Europeans and British Americans during the early modern period; one need only consult the witchcraft paintings of Francisco Goya, which show covens of half-naked women killing babies, eating people, and cavorting with the Devil.
—Manvir Singh, New Yorker, 17 May 2025
Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea comes out May 13 and is available for preorder now, wherever books are sold.
—Jessica Guerrieri, People.com, 9 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for the Devil
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Noun
Conti would see his most extensive playing time in the majors with the Devil Rays in 2002.
—Jon Paul Hoornstra, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 May 2025
In The Bondsman, murdered bounty hunter Hub Halloran (Bacon) is resurrected by the Devil to trap and send back demons that have escaped from the prison of hell.
—Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 19 May 2025
Similar fears haunted Europeans and British Americans during the early modern period; one need only consult the witchcraft paintings of Francisco Goya, which show covens of half-naked women killing babies, eating people, and cavorting with the Devil.
—Manvir Singh, New Yorker, 17 May 2025
Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea comes out May 13 and is available for preorder now, wherever books are sold.
—Jessica Guerrieri, People.com, 9 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for the Devil
Cite this Entry
“The Devil.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/the%20Devil. Accessed 4 Jun. 2025.
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