bedevil

be·dev·il

transitive verb \bi-ˈde-vəl, bē-\

Definition of BEDEVIL

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 : bewilder

— be·dev·il·ment \-mənt\ noun

Examples of BEDEVIL

1. The theory bedevils scientists, none of whom have been able to prove it true or false.
2. The project has been bedeviled by problems since its inception.

First Known Use of BEDEVIL

1574

Related to BEDEVIL

Synonyms

agonize, anguish, afflict, beset, besiege, curse, excruciate, harrow, persecute, plague, rack, torment, torture

Related Words

assail, attack; badger, dog, hound, pursue, ride; aggravate, agitate, annoy, bother, bug, chafe, distress, disturb, exasperate, gall, get, grate, gripe, hagride, harass, harry, irk, irritate, molest, nettle, peeve, pester, pique, put out, rasp, rile, vex; discomfort, discompose, disquiet, fluster, grieve, perturb, strain, stress, trouble, try, upset, worry; crush, oppress, overpower, overwhelm, smite, strike, tyrannize, victimize; hurt, pain, pang, prick, smart, stab, sting, wring; martyr

Near Antonyms

abet, aid, assist, help; deliver, release, relieve, reprieve; comfort, console, content, quiet, solace, soothe, succor

Rhymes with BEDEVIL

A level, bi-level, daredevil, dishevel, dust devil, go-devil, high-level, low-level, O level, S level, sea level, split-level