1
as in excessive
going beyond a normal or acceptable limit in degree or amount
that's a devilish amount of bad luck for any person to have to endure
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in demonic
of, relating to, or worthy of an evil spirit
a devilish plan to sabotage the other party's political convention
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3
as in mischievous
tending to or exhibiting reckless playfulness
a devilish grin that told us he was up to something
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of devilish
The character is often taunted by her devilish reflection, and then a sequence in the climactic finale sees the Warrens' daughter become fully possessed by the demonic entity.
—
Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 7 Sep. 2025
Their faces are devilish in the firelight, the shadows bringing out the angles, the lines of their cheekbones.
—Carly Tagen-Dye, People.com, 21 Aug. 2025
The University of Hong Kong Business School reported that K-pop girl-group Blackpink’s Lisa, a Thai national, posted the devilish doll on Instagram, which caught the attention of a Thai princess; Labubu even became Thailand’s official tourism ambassador.
—Alexandra Harrell, Sourcing Journal, 20 Aug. 2025
This isn’t the first time devilish footwear has generated headlines.
—Riley Jones, Footwear News, 3 Sep. 2019
See All Example Sentences for devilish
Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 7 Sep. 2025
Their faces are devilish in the firelight, the shadows bringing out the angles, the lines of their cheekbones.
—Carly Tagen-Dye, People.com, 21 Aug. 2025
The University of Hong Kong Business School reported that K-pop girl-group Blackpink’s Lisa, a Thai national, posted the devilish doll on Instagram, which caught the attention of a Thai princess; Labubu even became Thailand’s official tourism ambassador.
—Alexandra Harrell, Sourcing Journal, 20 Aug. 2025
This isn’t the first time devilish footwear has generated headlines.
—Riley Jones, Footwear News, 3 Sep. 2019
See All Example Sentences for devilish
Recent Examples of Synonyms for devilish
Adjective
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The thunderstorms could also bring excessive rainfall in northern Arkansas, southern Missouri and southern Illinois, bringing a risk of flash flooding, the weather service said.—
Jeanine Santucci,
USA Today,
18 Oct. 2025
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There are risks of severe thunderstorms and excessive rainfall on Saturday from the Ozarks into the mid-Mississippi River Valley with potential for damaging winds, large hail, tornadoes, and flash flooding.—
Hollie Silverman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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What did demonic erotica have to do with regulating internet-service providers?—
Ali Breland,
The Atlantic,
22 Oct. 2025
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But unlike other series cappers, Last Rites didn’t try to be a summation of every demonic threat the duo has ever encountered, instead opting for another familial story by way of 1986’s Smurl haunting in Pennsylvania.—
Brian Davids,
HollywoodReporter,
20 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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The trio portrayed three of the Weasley children in the magical films, with James and Oliver starring as mischievous twins Fred and George and Bonnie as their youngest sibling, Ginny.—
Emlyn Travis,
Entertainment Weekly,
20 Oct. 2025
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Orsoni has salt-and-pepper hair and an exaggerated, slightly mischievous energy.—
Aislyn Greene,
AFAR Media,
15 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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In Julius Caesar Shakespeare demonstrates the extreme consequences of a lack of due process.—
JSTOR Daily,
JSTOR Daily,
23 Oct. 2025
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For extreme pickle lovers, Jimmy John's is also offering the Triple Pickle, a meal deal that features your choice of Picklewich, Pickle Jimmy Chips, and Pickle Ranch.—
Kait Hanson,
Southern Living,
22 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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The film that introduced us to both Anya Taylor-Joy and the concept of pilgrim horror, The Witch flew onto the big screen like a sinister crow during a frigid New England winter.—
Gwen Ihnat,
Entertainment Weekly,
18 Oct. 2025
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To prevent this sinister tax, the White House should announce a set of retaliation measures.—
Stephen Moore,
Boston Herald,
16 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Misiorowski had made Edman look foolish in their first matchup, getting the infielder to swing through a wicked curveball.—
Fabian Ardaya,
New York Times,
17 Oct. 2025
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Niehuus, an entertainmen lawyer by training but someone with a wicked wit, succeeds Bernd Neumann, an esteemed former minister of culture in the German government, who has stepped down.—
Leo Barraclough,
Variety,
17 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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The outpouring of people on social media was insane.—
Wendy Grossman Kantor,
PEOPLE,
17 Oct. 2025
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The trailer teases spicy fights, insane games, and twists.—
Tomás Mier,
Rolling Stone,
16 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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The Puma sneakers bring a sleek, sporty vibe with metallic silver accents, while the Lucky Step sneakers add playful texture with mesh detailing.—
Rosie Marder,
Travel + Leisure,
22 Oct. 2025
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In fact, Golden State was feeling so confident that their television network decided to take a playful jab at Lakers superstar LeBron James.—
Ricardo Klein,
MSNBC Newsweek,
22 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Devilish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/devilish. Accessed 23 Oct. 2025.
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