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
She was tricked by the very devilish Zeus, who broke his way into many marriages.
—
Mike Lynch, Twin Cities, 6 Apr. 2025
These devilish tracking cookies were supposedly being killed, until Google hit the pause button last July.
—Zak Doffman, Forbes.com, 22 Apr. 2025
That wasn’t possible because Pollux was immortal, but despite his devilish nature Zeus had a soft spot in his heart for his son.
—Mike Lynch, Twin Cities, 6 Apr. 2025
Kilmer played up all of those traits in the film’s climactic scene, an intimate man-to-man duel with the gunfighter Johnny Ringo (a devilish Michael Biehn), that stands as arguably the best gun battle of the modern Western era — even if only two shots were fired.
—Joseph Hudak, Rolling Stone, 2 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for devilish
Mike Lynch, Twin Cities, 6 Apr. 2025
These devilish tracking cookies were supposedly being killed, until Google hit the pause button last July.
—Zak Doffman, Forbes.com, 22 Apr. 2025
That wasn’t possible because Pollux was immortal, but despite his devilish nature Zeus had a soft spot in his heart for his son.
—Mike Lynch, Twin Cities, 6 Apr. 2025
Kilmer played up all of those traits in the film’s climactic scene, an intimate man-to-man duel with the gunfighter Johnny Ringo (a devilish Michael Biehn), that stands as arguably the best gun battle of the modern Western era — even if only two shots were fired.
—Joseph Hudak, Rolling Stone, 2 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for devilish
Recent Examples of Synonyms for devilish
Adjective
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The lawsuit argues the incident is part of a larger pattern of excessive force by deputies.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
16 May 2025
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Among its findings were that Banks used excessive force and falsely imprisoned Myles; that Banks’ use of his dog violated Myles’ Fourth Amendment rights; that Banks and the county were both negligent; and that the county violated Myles’ civil rights by failing to properly train and supervise Banks.—
Alex Riggins,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
16 May 2025
Adjective
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Eckhardt’s powerful book, Prayers That Rout Demons, is designed for seasoned Believers and shares warfare prayers in the areas of casting out demons, teaching strategies for overcoming demonic oppression, and so much more.—
Lynnette Nicholas,
Essence,
7 May 2025
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The Warrens retired from the exorcist business, largely due to Ed's heart attack, the one sustained during the demonic happenings of the third film.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
6 May 2025
Adjective
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Dunk’s mischievous sense of humour was highlighted by poking fun at critics of Hurzeler while attending a Premier League darts event in Brighton in March.—
Andy Naylor,
New York Times,
30 Apr. 2025
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His voice babbles away throughout the record and his mischievous personality shines.—
Thomas Smith,
Billboard,
24 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Thriving after having faced extreme adversity is core to Marine Electric Systems culture, and to the US Navy itself.—
Connie Etemadi,
USA Today,
13 May 2025
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For all the extreme legal steps the Administration has already deployed, suspending habeas corpus would be an act far more radical than any that has come before.—
Ruth Marcus,
New Yorker,
12 May 2025
Adjective
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While investigating the case of a teenage girl left for dead in the woods, Luminița (34), a small-town police officer, risks being swallowed into a dark, sinister world, where the unlawful meets the occult.—
Leo Barraclough,
Variety,
8 May 2025
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The real-life School of Rock founder’s former students tell a more sinister story By Ezra Marcus Hats Off! Daniel Berulis, a cyber-security expert and employee of the National Labor Relations Board.—
Air Mail,
Air Mail,
3 May 2025
Adjective
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Dodgers starter Dustin May was good, dotting the corners of the strike zone with his wicked sinker-sweeper combination en route to a 6 ⅔-inning, two-run, five-strikeout outing — his longest since returning from a second career elbow surgery this year.—
Jack Harris,
Los Angeles Times,
11 May 2025
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Enter Halvorsen, who struck out the dangerous Torkelson, walked McKinstry to load the bases, and then struck out Dillon Dingler with a wicked 2-2 slider.—
Patrick Saunders,
Denver Post,
7 May 2025
Adjective
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Amanda learned in like 10 seconds, which is insane.—
Scott Roxborough,
The Hollywood Reporter,
24 Mar. 2025
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The emu egg—a two pound, eight-inch ovoid with a sultry teal shell gently speckled in pale green—seemed like just the right absurdist final flourish for an already insane endeavor.—
Helen Rosner,
The New Yorker,
23 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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The moment instantly sparked playful reactions cross the internet with some cheekily demanding the robot get its act together.—
Caché McClay,
USA Today,
18 May 2025
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Plus, the playful green shade will add a pop of color to any summer travel wardrobe.—
Melony Forcier,
Travel + Leisure,
18 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Devilish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/devilish. Accessed 22 May. 2025.
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