like the devil
idiom
informal
1
: very much
I'm sorry to hear about your injury. It must hurt like the devil.
2
: with a lot of energy and speed
He ran like the devil.
Examples of like the devil in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Horns like the devil Greenberg signed a contract with the Tigers in 1930 and played in the minor leagues for the next three years.
—
Robert Gudmestad, The Conversation, 3 Oct. 2024
And, he’s particularly intrigued by the seemingly incorruptible Acosta — Dr. Townsend, like the devil, loves a challenge.
—Brooke Knisley, Vulture, 24 Mar. 2024
Would dancing like the devil be enough to get Mraz to the finals?
—Lars Brandle, Billboard, 29 Nov. 2023
Every preteen can act like the devil from time to time, but probably nothing like this.
—Milan Polk, Men's Health, 26 Jan. 2023
Accordingly, during their Anchorage games, the devil, a man dressed like the devil at least, appeared on the ice and tied opposing players to their goal.
—David Reamer, Anchorage Daily News, 30 Oct. 2022
His iPhone clock showed 1:15, late for a school night, when the boom — a hard, splitting crackle-pop, like the devil at batting practice — roused his mother, too.
—Matt Sullivan, Rolling Stone, 23 June 2022
But the star of this show is Howlin’ Wolf and his gritty voice that sounded like the devil might rip your heart out.
—Troy L. Smith, cleveland, 22 Jan. 2021
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.
Robert Gudmestad, The Conversation, 3 Oct. 2024
And, he’s particularly intrigued by the seemingly incorruptible Acosta — Dr. Townsend, like the devil, loves a challenge.
—Brooke Knisley, Vulture, 24 Mar. 2024
Would dancing like the devil be enough to get Mraz to the finals?
—Lars Brandle, Billboard, 29 Nov. 2023
Every preteen can act like the devil from time to time, but probably nothing like this.
—Milan Polk, Men's Health, 26 Jan. 2023
Accordingly, during their Anchorage games, the devil, a man dressed like the devil at least, appeared on the ice and tied opposing players to their goal.
—David Reamer, Anchorage Daily News, 30 Oct. 2022
His iPhone clock showed 1:15, late for a school night, when the boom — a hard, splitting crackle-pop, like the devil at batting practice — roused his mother, too.
—Matt Sullivan, Rolling Stone, 23 June 2022
But the star of this show is Howlin’ Wolf and his gritty voice that sounded like the devil might rip your heart out.
—Troy L. Smith, cleveland, 22 Jan. 2021
Cite this Entry
“Like the devil.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/like%20the%20devil. Accessed 25 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share