bedevil

verb

be·​dev·​il bi-ˈde-vəl 

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

bi-ˈde-vəl-mənt 

bē-

noun

Synonyms of bedevil

• afflict
• plague
• persecute
• besiege
• beset

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

David Walliams’ story of the Meek family and the whimsical monster that bedevils them is now a family film, thanks to Taika Waititi and director Jeffrey Walker. —Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 22 Jan. 2026

The acrimony that bedeviled so many bands that NOFX avoided for 40 years had finally caught up with them. —Jim Ruland, Los Angeles Times, 20 Jan. 2026

Perhaps in Iran, which has been engulfed by mass protests, leading the president to threaten action against an oppressive regime that has bedeviled the United States for nearly half a century. —Jonathan Lemire, The Atlantic, 13 Jan. 2026

Visit our website Demographic concentration bedevils the goal of integration. —Ray Domanico, Washington Post, 9 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1574, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for bedevil

• daredevil
• sublevel
• bevel
• devil
• level
• mediaeval
• multilevel

Kids Definition

bedevil

verb

be·​dev·​il bi-ˈdev-əl 

: to trouble or annoy again and again : pester, harass

bedeviled by problems

bedevilment

-mənt 

noun