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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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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Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of devilish
As the tides of fortune spin, so does the boat, allowing lightning designer Kevin Adams to spotlight specific occupants in ghostly green, devilish red, and soft sunrise hues.
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EW.com, 20 Nov. 2024
The joy of Aston Villa's devilish left-sided attacks Cooper's fighting talk is part of Leicester's new combative off-field approach
Confidence.
—New York Times, 20 Sep. 2024
Harris' court case attracted lots of attention, with some clamoring for Sam to return to his devilish lifestyle and animal rights activists demanding the chimp be released from his racy conditions.
—Grace Tucker, The Enquirer, 13 Nov. 2024
Jonathan is a mild-mannered, sweet-as-pie victim and Catherine is a devilish cougar, preying on a young man just trying to backpack through Europe.
—Kelly Lawler, USA TODAY, 11 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for devilish 
EW.com, 20 Nov. 2024
The joy of Aston Villa's devilish left-sided attacks Cooper's fighting talk is part of Leicester's new combative off-field approach
Confidence.
—New York Times, 20 Sep. 2024
Harris' court case attracted lots of attention, with some clamoring for Sam to return to his devilish lifestyle and animal rights activists demanding the chimp be released from his racy conditions.
—Grace Tucker, The Enquirer, 13 Nov. 2024
Jonathan is a mild-mannered, sweet-as-pie victim and Catherine is a devilish cougar, preying on a young man just trying to backpack through Europe.
—Kelly Lawler, USA TODAY, 11 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for devilish
Recent Examples of Synonyms for devilish
Adjective
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However, being unable to control excessive behaviors can cause people to stretch beyond their means and compromise their well-being and personal sustainability.Sandro da Silva, Forbes, 17 Dec. 2024
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Yes, fame is a form of oppression, a currency, a potential gift and punishment for excessive attention-seeking, which is often a need for real love, which fame isn’t.Harmony Holiday, Los Angeles Times, 16 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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For Koreans at that time (and to some extent even now), Karl Marx was not just a historical figure but a kind of demonic being symbolizing the world of darkness.Cressida Leyshon, The New Yorker, 22 Dec. 2024
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The answer is Krampus, the somewhat demonic counterpart to Santa Claus.Erik Kain, Forbes, 11 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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Mangold depicts Cash in both Walk the Line and A Complete Unknown as nervy mysteries always on the edge of a breakdown, though Boyd Holbrook plays him as more mischievous and good-humored compared to the brooding Joaquin Phoenix.Brady Gerber, Vulture, 24 Dec. 2024
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With the school empty and lessons on pause, Paul unexpectedly strikes up a friendship with a mischievous pupil (Dominic Sessa) and the school's head cook (Da'Vine Joy Randolph).Kelsie Gibson, People.com, 17 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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Jim Clash covers extreme adventure and classic rock.Jim Clash, Forbes, 25 Dec. 2024
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Baseball is an extreme example, where it is accepted and understood that starting pitchers must rest for a week after starting to protect their arm.Jacob Whitehead, The Athletic, 25 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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Luis is building a hotel for Herr König (Dan Stevens, a scream queen in his own right), whose eccentric behavior points to a sinister agenda.Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 19 Dec. 2024
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All this hints at a more sinister story inside; this was a factory for a highly addictive drug called Captagon.Greg Myre, NPR, 19 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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Pettersson took his time, stepped into the open space and uncorked a wicked top-shelf snipe.Harman Dayal, The Athletic, 24 Dec. 2024
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This magical compulsion forces Ella to obey any command given to her, no matter how harmful or absurd, and Ella’s cruel stepmother Dame Olga (Joanna Lumley) and wicked stepsisters Hattie (Lucy Punch) and Olive (Jennifer Higham) constantly take advantage.Travis Bean, Forbes, 21 Dec. 2024
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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Led by the resort’s resident marine biologist, you’ll soon be joined by playful pods of dolphins swimming alongside your boat.Sandra MacGregor, Forbes, 17 Dec. 2024
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What to expect: The restaurant continues Diaz's playful exploration of combining the Mexican-American staples of his youth with cooking techniques from around the world, especially Asian cuisines.Zachery Eanes, Axios, 17 Dec. 2024
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Cite this Entry
“Devilish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/devilish. Accessed 31 Dec. 2024.
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