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
Director Ryan Coogler's innovative vampire action movie stars Michael B. Jordan as the twin brothers who come up against a devilish force played with malice by Jack O'Connell.
—
Griff Griffin, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 July 2025
Democrats are experiencing a devilish glee as MAGA World clashes over the Trump administration’s push to defuse conspiracy theories surrounding the disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein.
—Mike Lillis, The Hill, 9 July 2025
That’s not all from Blumhouse, thanks to the sumptuous Sleep Awake, which combines A Nightmare on Elm Street with Control, Still Wakes the Deep, and plenty of other devilish influences.
—Matt Gardner, Forbes.com, 8 June 2025
The sisters lean into their legacy of witchcraft to battle evil in the form of a devilish ex-boyfriend.
—Lisa Respers France, CNN Money, 7 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for devilish
Griff Griffin, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 July 2025
Democrats are experiencing a devilish glee as MAGA World clashes over the Trump administration’s push to defuse conspiracy theories surrounding the disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein.
—Mike Lillis, The Hill, 9 July 2025
That’s not all from Blumhouse, thanks to the sumptuous Sleep Awake, which combines A Nightmare on Elm Street with Control, Still Wakes the Deep, and plenty of other devilish influences.
—Matt Gardner, Forbes.com, 8 June 2025
The sisters lean into their legacy of witchcraft to battle evil in the form of a devilish ex-boyfriend.
—Lisa Respers France, CNN Money, 7 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for devilish
Recent Examples of Synonyms for devilish
Adjective
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Avoid using excessive water to prevent damaging the floors.—
Daley Quinn,
Southern Living,
7 Sep. 2025
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Common symptoms include excessive scratching, licking, ear infections, and digestive issues.—
Kasey Caminiti,
USA Today,
6 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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As her estranged father feeds the fetus victims to ensure its birth, the couple is forced to confront a terrifying legacy of betrayal, twisted faith, and demonic lineage.—
Andreas Wiseman,
Deadline,
3 Sep. 2025
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Another prequel movie, The Nun II, once again stars Bonnie Aarons as the demonic habit-wearing spirit and Taissa Farmiga as Sister Irene.—
Tim Lammers,
Forbes.com,
3 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Late Thursday, the company released in China the newest Labubu dolls, rabbit-ish toys that have pointed ears, jagged teeth and a mischievous grin.—
Yue Wang,
Forbes.com,
29 Aug. 2025
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Many brushed aside the cheeky clip as mischievous teasing between teammates at the time.—
Doha Madani,
NBC news,
26 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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There are a number of majority-minority districts in blue states as well which, if viewed by the Court as unconstitutionally created, could further complicate blue-state efforts to respond to Texas-style extreme gerrymandering.—
Tom Rogers,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Sep. 2025
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Louisville Metro Council is considering an ordinance to define and regulate new types of homeless shelters that council members hope will help expand shelter access during periods of extreme weather.—
Killian Baarlaer,
The Courier-Journal,
3 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Normally, that would be a recipe for some edge-of-your-seat action, although Ben Hopkins’ script makes clear early on that the bomb is just a distraction, while an even more sinister plot is ticking within the blast radius.—
Peter Debruge,
Variety,
6 Sep. 2025
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However, when Jess senses something sinister and then mysteriously disappears, Frida must uncover the truth before meeting the same fate.—
Catherine Santino,
PEOPLE,
6 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Both are wicked smart brainiacs on a tireless quest to do good in the world.—
Natasha Stoynoff,
PEOPLE,
7 Sep. 2025
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As the mystery unravels from multiple POVs, Alex’s kooky aunt Gladys (Amy Madigan) is revealed as the orchestrator of the tragedy — her fiery orange hair, nimble fingers, ghostly face and wicked crimson smile a memorable image that haunts the narrative.—
Natalie Oganesyan,
Deadline,
4 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Stines’ defense attorneys, Jeremy and Kerri Bartley, say the sheriff was insane at the time of the killing and want his full mental health report – which is currently sealed – released to the public.—
Andy Rose,
CNN Money,
6 Sep. 2025
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Making straight men insane comes with the territory on one of TV’s most-talked about shows of the last five years (House of the Dragon continues to rack up toward 10 million viewers per ep).—
Lily Ford,
HollywoodReporter,
5 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Today, the practice has taken on a playful twist, with people reimagining themselves in royal attire for humor and novelty.—
Lydia Patrick,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Sep. 2025
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Reeves was impressed with the script and, after meeting with Ansari in London, agreed to sign on for one of the most playful roles of his career (a scene with Rogen at a burger joint in which the angel learns to eat for the first time is an inspired bit of physical comedy).—
Seth Abramovitch,
HollywoodReporter,
3 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Devilish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/devilish. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
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