bedevil

verb

bi-ˈde-vəl How to pronounce bedevil (audio)
Definition of bedevilnext
as in to afflict
to cause persistent suffering to a lingering cold bedeviled me for over a month

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of bedevil 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 Growing tent encampments have bedeviled urban leaders for years. — CBS News, 9 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for bedevil
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bedevil
  1. afflict
  2. plague
  3. persecute
  4. besiege
  5. beset
Verb
  • Lotus seems to have ironed out the hesitancy that previously afflicted the dual-clutch ’box, particularly when parking.
    — Tim Pitt, Robb Report, 22 July 2026
  • Forty-nine of the afflicted have been hospitalized; of those, thirty-four have gone home.
    — News Desk, Artforum, 15 July 2026
Definition of afflict
Verb
  • Accusations of racial profiling have long plagued the department, alienating generations of Black and brown Angelenos.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 24 July 2026
  • The institution had been plagued by declining enrollment and budget deficits which resulted in staff layoffs, culminating in Vanderbilt’s purchase of the institution early this year.
    — News Desk, Artforum, 23 July 2026
Definition of plague
Verb
  • The Chinese government denies the Uyghurs have been or are being persecuted.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 24 July 2026
  • As a senator, Marco Rubio was a strong supporter of the bureau and human rights broadly, once arguing from the Senate floor that safeguarding the freedoms of gay men who were persecuted in Chechnya — and all people — was in the national interest.
    — Anna Maria Barry-Jester, ProPublica, 17 July 2026
Definition of persecute
Verb
  • The species is now endangered, extinct on the Australian mainland for three thousand years and besieged on the island that is its last refuge.
    — John Drake, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026
  • The sidebar will open with Netflix’s Below, from creator Jesse McKeown, a six-part supernatural thriller that centers on a seaside town Newfoundland besieged by a sea creature and stars Mackenzie Davis, Charlie Heaton and Josh Hartnett.
    — Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 23 July 2026
Definition of besiege
Verb
  • Drawing on the testimonies of 255 workers across eight factories in Pakistan, the report portrays an industry beset by pervasive unlawful wages, excessive working hours, harassment, bullying, surveillance and intimidation.
    — Jasmin Malik Chua, Footwear News, 24 July 2026
  • Any Olympics are beset by logistical questions in the run-up.
    — Barry Svrluga, New York Times, 24 July 2026
Definition of beset

Browse Nearby Words

bedecks
bedevil
bedeviled
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Bedevil.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bedevil. Accessed 27 Jul. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of bedevil for Spanish Speakers

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