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
  • Entering Friday’s contest, Clark was supposed to be on a minutes restriction due to a back injury that has plagued her all season.
    — James Boyd, New York Times, 18 July 2026
  • But controversies are plaguing the league, Clark has become an unwilling symbol of racial polarization and GOP members of Congress are entering the fray.
    — Joel Mathis, TheWeek, 17 July 2026
Definition of plague
Verb
  • Also on Wednesday, Blume returned a Pablo Picasso bust, Fernande/Beatrice (1905), to the descendants of German-Jewish dealer Alfred Flechtheim, who was persecuted by the Reich, reports TAN.
    — Brian Boucher, ARTnews.com, 16 July 2026
  • Mahmoud Khalil alleges private groups, including the conservative Heritage Foundation, and public leaders conspired to persecute him.
    — Susan Svrluga, Washington Post, 14 July 2026
Definition of persecute
Verb
  • Meanwhile, the palace has been besieged by loutish suitors, led by the scheming Antinous (Robert Pattinson), all of them vying for the queen’s hand in remarriage and mooching off the absent king’s food and wine.
    — Justin Chang, New Yorker, 17 July 2026
  • There was a dinner for 500 after the fashion show on Tuesday night, and he was besieged by guests wanting to talk to him, talk his picture, take selfies, and just bask in his glory.
    — Dylan Jones, Robb Report, 16 July 2026
Definition of besiege
Verb
  • Oppressive smoke from Canadian wildfires amid a heat wave had beset the tristate area in the preceding week.
    — Theresa Braine, New York Daily News, 19 July 2026
  • The publishing industry is beset by AI, from within and without.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 16 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 24 Jul. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of bedevil for Spanish Speakers

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