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
be·dev·il·ment
bi-ˈde-vəl-mənt
bē-
plural -s
Examples of bedevil in a Sentence
Verb
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
Phillips Payson O’Brien,
The Atlantic,
30 June 2026
Algae blooms have long bedeviled the DC landmark, though the one that broke out in the wake of the renovations appears to have reduced.
—
James Powel,
USA Today,
28 June 2026
Waves of terrorist attacks, clashes between farmers and herders, as well as kidnappings for ransom have bedeviled Nigerian citizens in recent years, stifling economic growth and productivity in many parts of the country.
—
Alexander Onukwue,
semafor.com,
26 June 2026
The device aims to compete with traditional game consoles like Microsoft’s Xbox and Sony’s PlayStation, which presently sell for $600 and up and are equally subject to the global component shortages that have lately bedeviled consumer electronics companies.
—
Andrew Nusca,
Fortune,
23 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for bedevil
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Verb
Indeed, Ukrainian strikes on oil infrastructure have created major gas shortages that are bedeviling much of the Russian hinterland.
—
Phillips Payson O’Brien,
The Atlantic,
30 June 2026
Algae blooms have long bedeviled the DC landmark, though the one that broke out in the wake of the renovations appears to have reduced.
—
James Powel,
USA Today,
28 June 2026
Waves of terrorist attacks, clashes between farmers and herders, as well as kidnappings for ransom have bedeviled Nigerian citizens in recent years, stifling economic growth and productivity in many parts of the country.
—
Alexander Onukwue,
semafor.com,
26 June 2026
The device aims to compete with traditional game consoles like Microsoft’s Xbox and Sony’s PlayStation, which presently sell for $600 and up and are equally subject to the global component shortages that have lately bedeviled consumer electronics companies.
—
Andrew Nusca,
Fortune,
23 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for bedevil
Cite this Entry
“Bedevil.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bedevil. Accessed 4 Jul. 2026.
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bedevil
verb
be·dev·il
bi-ˈdev-əl
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