1
as in excessive
going beyond a normal or acceptable limit in degree or amount
that's a devilish amount of bad luck for any person to have to endure
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in demonic
of, relating to, or worthy of an evil spirit
a devilish plan to sabotage the other party's political convention
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3
as in mischievous
tending to or exhibiting reckless playfulness
a devilish grin that told us he was up to something
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of devilish
Finally, the screen buffers — a nod to Netflix's past livestreaming troubles — and resumes, with Bey delivering a devilish wink.
—
Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 25 Dec. 2024
Escola’s brazenly ahistorical Mary Todd is one of those devilish comic creations, such as Jiminy Glick or Pee-wee Herman, that seems less invented than sprung free, never to return.
—Michael Schulman, The New Yorker, 9 Dec. 2024
Everett arranges the resulting fragments into a grim picture: The folksy charm of Jim, Huck Finn’s loyal traveling companion on the run from slavery, is replaced with the devilish wit of James, a serious, erudite man making tough choices in deadly situations.
—The Atlantic, 4 Dec. 2024
Many people believed that faeries were capable of all sorts of wicked tricks: Stealing babies or children and replacing them with changelings, making devilish bargains, trapping people in the Otherworld for eternity.
—Erik Kain, Forbes, 27 Nov. 2024
See All Example Sentences for devilish
Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 25 Dec. 2024
Escola’s brazenly ahistorical Mary Todd is one of those devilish comic creations, such as Jiminy Glick or Pee-wee Herman, that seems less invented than sprung free, never to return.
—Michael Schulman, The New Yorker, 9 Dec. 2024
Everett arranges the resulting fragments into a grim picture: The folksy charm of Jim, Huck Finn’s loyal traveling companion on the run from slavery, is replaced with the devilish wit of James, a serious, erudite man making tough choices in deadly situations.
—The Atlantic, 4 Dec. 2024
Many people believed that faeries were capable of all sorts of wicked tricks: Stealing babies or children and replacing them with changelings, making devilish bargains, trapping people in the Otherworld for eternity.
—Erik Kain, Forbes, 27 Nov. 2024
See All Example Sentences for devilish
Recent Examples of Synonyms for devilish
Adjective
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Remove excessive quantities of tree leaves from home lawns before mowing. 20.—
Tom MacCubbin,
The Orlando Sentinel,
29 Mar. 2025
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As for you: keep an ear out for genuine screams and excessive silence.—
Kathryn Schulz,
New Yorker,
29 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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The story follows the three Maxwell siblings who grew up as the only Black family in a gated Dallas neighborhood, also tormented by strange and unexplainable demonic happenings in their house.—
Clare Mulroy,
USA TODAY,
21 Mar. 2025
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The television version follows Michael Sheen and David Tennant in the shoes of the angelic Aziraphale and the demonic Crowley.—
Brian Tallerico,
Vulture,
18 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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For families with mischievous kids, another unit with a more robust child lock, like the Samsung or GE models, would be better.—
Meg St-Esprit,
Bon Appétit,
18 Mar. 2025
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But Kerrygold, the cheese brand, believes that according to Irish folklore, that little pocket was meant to hold cheese and ward off mischievous fairies.—
Jean E. Palmieri,
WWD,
17 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Temperature Painting during extreme cold or extreme heat can compromise the paint.—
Kamron Sanders,
Better Homes & Gardens,
23 Mar. 2025
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Among the advancements made by engineers are practical, cost-effective solutions to the extreme heat encountered in hypersonic flight, during which friction can cause the leading edges of an aircraft to reach 1,800 degrees Fahrenheit.—
Michael Verdon,
Robb Report,
22 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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When powered on, the TV reveals four children apparently trapped inside and held captive by sinister forces.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
19 Mar. 2025
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The new Rhino release amplifies the darkness, letting every sinister detail seethe to the surface.—
Darryn King,
Forbes,
15 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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A lot of exposition about the wicked stepmother being done very rapidly here.—
Emma Specter,
Vogue,
21 Mar. 2025
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Steven Lorentz gave his team a 2-1 lead by firing a wicked wrist shot for a short-handed goal in the early third.—
Kevin Papetti,
The Athletic,
20 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Your voice is insane.—
Mary Colurso | mcolurso@al.com,
al,
4 Apr. 2023
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But obviously winning the grand jury prize was insane.—
Taylor Antrim,
Vogue,
31 Mar. 2023
Adjective
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Designers are leaning into contrast, pairing breezy fabrics with tailored precision while a muted yet playful color palette sets the tone.—
Jailynn Taylor,
Essence,
19 Mar. 2025
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At the same time, Scott’s act of mass ventriloquism—patient, playful, physically astute and ultimately brave—clarifies something at the heart of Chekhov’s play.—
Sara Holdren,
Vulture,
18 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Devilish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/devilish. Accessed 2 Apr. 2025.
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