bedevil

verb

be·​dev·​il bi-ˈde-vəl How to pronounce bedevil (audio)
bē-
bedeviled; bedeviling; bedevils

transitive verb

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
bedevilment noun

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
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.
The co-heads of the Warner Bros. Pictures Group, recently bedeviled by a string of flops and whispers about their futures at the company, addressed the whole of their corporate parent Warner Bros. Matt Donnelly, Variety, 7 Apr. 2025 Capital Cat Cafe first teased its opening to huge fanfare in 2021; more than three years later, the aspiring Boulevard Park business has yet to open its doors, bedeviled by one delay after another. Benjy Egel, Sacramento Bee, 20 Jan. 2025 We all have been bedeviled at times by bureaucratic snafus (and snares), and so improvement is necessary. John Baldoni, Forbes.com, 26 Apr. 2025 Who knows; Trump’s expansive use of tariffs and belligerent treatment of American allies overseas may yet reopen fissures with elements of the center-right that bedeviled the president in his first term and helped sink his 2020 reelection bid. David M. Drucker, Twin Cities, 26 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for bedevil

Word History

First Known Use

1574, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of bedevil was in 1574

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Cite this Entry

“Bedevil.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bedevil. Accessed 12 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

bedevil

verb
be·​dev·​il bi-ˈdev-əl How to pronounce bedevil (audio)
: to trouble or annoy again and again : pester, harass
bedeviled by problems
bedevilment noun

More from Merriam-Webster on bedevil

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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