bedevil
verb
be·dev·il
bi-ˈde-vəl 
bē-
bedeviled; bedeviling; bedevils
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
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
Other bilateral and regional problems also bedevil the relationship.
—
Tanvi Madan, Foreign Affairs, 24 Sep. 2025
Defensively, the Seahawks bedeviled Kyler Murray last year (seven sacks, three picks in a two-game sweep) and the Hawks’ D is better now.
—Miami Herald, 24 Sep. 2025
That lapse will bedevil Fed policy makers this coming week and for several meetings thereafter.
—Edward Lotterman, Twin Cities, 14 Sep. 2025
Once the lithium is being developed, the money will need to go to the State coffers and cannot be siphoned off by the typical corruption that has long bedeviled the country.
—Daniel Markind, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for bedevil
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Tanvi Madan, Foreign Affairs, 24 Sep. 2025
Defensively, the Seahawks bedeviled Kyler Murray last year (seven sacks, three picks in a two-game sweep) and the Hawks’ D is better now.
—Miami Herald, 24 Sep. 2025
That lapse will bedevil Fed policy makers this coming week and for several meetings thereafter.
—Edward Lotterman, Twin Cities, 14 Sep. 2025
Once the lithium is being developed, the money will need to go to the State coffers and cannot be siphoned off by the typical corruption that has long bedeviled the country.
—Daniel Markind, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for bedevil
Cite this Entry
“Bedevil.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bedevil. Accessed 6 Oct. 2025.
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bedevil
verb
be·dev·il
bi-ˈdev-əl
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