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.
Waiting for clarity The lingering uncertainty over Trump’s policies is also bedeviling central bankers who set interest rate policy, affecting the costs on everything from mortgages to credit cards. Bryan Mena, CNN Money, 25 Apr. 2025 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 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Bedevil.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bedevil. Accessed 24 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!