Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

Thesaurus

devilish

adjective

Synonyms and Antonyms of devilish

1 going beyond a normal or acceptable limit in degree or amount
  • thatʼs a devilish amount of bad luck for any person to have to endure
Synonyms of devilish

baroque, excessive, exorbitant, extravagant, extreme, fancy, immoderate, inordinate, insane, intolerable, lavish, overdue, overextravagant, overmuch, overweening, plethoric, steep, stiff, towering, unconscionable, undue, unmerciful
Words Related to devilish

boundless, endless, immeasurable, infinite, limitless

unbearable, unjustifiable, unwarranted

improper, inappropriate, thick, unseemly

unrestrained
Phrases Synonymous with devilish

a bit much, over the top
Near Antonyms of devilish

deficient, inadequate, insufficient

minimal, minimum
Antonyms of devilish

middling, moderate, modest, reasonable, temperate
2 of, relating to, or worthy of an evil spirit
  • a devilish plan to sabotage the other partyʼs political convention
Synonyms of devilish

cacodemonic, demoniac (also demoniacal), demonian, demonic (also demonical), diabolical (or diabolic), fiendish, Luciferian, satanic
Words Related to devilish

hellish, infernal

baleful, evil, sinister

malevolent, malicious, malignant

heinous, monstrous

black, immoral, iniquitous, nefarious, vicious, vile, villainous, wicked

barbarous, cruel, ferocious, inhuman, savage
Near Antonyms of devilish

celestial, heavenly

beneficent, benevolent, benign, benignant

godly, holy, sainted, saintly

ethical, good, moral, righteous, virtuous
Antonyms of devilish

angelic (or angelical)
3 tending to or exhibiting reckless playfulness
  • a devilish grin that told us he was up to something
Synonyms of devilish

arch, elvish, espiègle, impish, knavish, leprechaunish, mischievous, pixie (also pixy), pixieish, prankish, puckish, rascally, roguish, scampish, sly, tricksy, waggish, wicked
Words Related to devilish

antic, coltish, coy, frisky, frolicsome, kittenish, playful, sportful, sportive

gay, happy, lighthearted, whimsical

energetic, lively, spirited, sprightly

artful, crafty, cunning, trickish, tricky, wily

misbehaving, naughty, troublemaking

pestering, riling, teasing
Near Antonyms of devilish

grave, grim, sedate, sober, solemn, staid, stern

Learn More about devilish

  1. Dictionary: Definition of devilish Spanish Central: Translation of devilish Nglish: Translation of devilish for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of devilish for Arabic speakers

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up devilish? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show comments hide comments

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

WORD OF THE DAY

disavow

to deny responsibility for

Get Word of the Day daily email!

TRENDING NOW

  1. feckless Former RNC chair derides Trump

  2. emergency, national emergency Trump declares crisis over wall

  3. apoplectic Bezos writes post about Pecker

SEE ALL

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games