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 An oil shortage continues to bedevil crude sellers, who typically pass along elevated costs to refiners, leading to higher prices at the pump. — ABC News, 20 Oct. 2026 Injuries tend to be random, so Motley hopes the assortment of knee, ankle and foot concerns that have bedeviled him are squarely in the past. — Patrick Z. McGavin, Chicago Tribune, 8 Oct. 2026 The same dilemmas bedeviling the Abraham Lincoln have always gnawed at the core morale of every naval vessel that’s ever departed on a lengthy cruise beyond its homeport’s horizon. — Roger Archibald, Denver Post, 7 Oct. 2026 Injuries continue to bedevil Brown, who permitted both passes against him to be caught (for 14 yards) in his limited work against Clemson. — Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 5 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for bedevil
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bedevil
  1. afflict
  2. plague
  3. persecute
  4. besiege
  5. beset
Verb
  • More than two years later, the neighborhoods most afflicted by gun violence are still waiting, and mystery surrounds a process that should have been straightforward.
    — The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 10 Nov. 2026
  • Tarantism mostly afflicted impoverished individuals, particularly women (tarantatas).
    — Laura Kiniry, Popular Science, 10 Nov. 2026
Definition of afflict
Verb
  • Neighbors, who had previously reported being plagued by the nuisance animal for months, were shocked to see the same coyote appearing in their yards and approaching them in the street.
    — Fedor Zarkhin, Los Angeles Times, 11 Nov. 2026
  • Sánchez's family has also been plagued by corruption scandals.
    — Natalie Feary, CNBC, 11 Nov. 2026
Definition of plague
Verb
  • His Federal Communications Commission has persecuted TV networks and sought to muzzle late-night comedians who bruise the president’s ever-so-fragile feelings.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 8 Nov. 2026
  • The Paxton campaign decried the reporting, without denying it, while saying he had been politically persecuted.
    — Kaia Hubbard, CBS News, 4 Nov. 2026
Definition of persecute
Verb
  • Lawyers and lobbyists with expertise in congressional investigations and close ties to Democrats report being besieged by private-sector clients braced for a new world of oversight.
    — Ruth Marcus, New Yorker, 4 Nov. 2026
  • French cities have been shaken in recent weeks by vandalism and looting sparked by cost-of-living demonstrations, amid a broader crisis besieging the country’s lame-duck centrist government that has spiked French bond yields.
    — Brendan Ruberry, semafor.com, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of besiege
Verb
  • The crash renewed concerns about Egypt’s troubled railway system, which is beset by poor management and maintenance.
    — Mohamed Saleh, Los Angeles Times, 8 Nov. 2026
  • But the vehicle has been beset by quality problems and has faced numerous recalls over issues with its rearview camera, pedals and other components.
    — Mary Cunningham, CBS News, 6 Nov. 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 14 Nov. 2026.

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