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
She was tricked by the very devilish Zeus, who broke his way into many marriages.
—
Mike Lynch, Twin Cities, 6 Apr. 2025
These devilish tracking cookies were supposedly being killed, until Google hit the pause button last July.
—Zak Doffman, Forbes.com, 22 Apr. 2025
That wasn’t possible because Pollux was immortal, but despite his devilish nature Zeus had a soft spot in his heart for his son.
—Mike Lynch, Twin Cities, 6 Apr. 2025
Kilmer played up all of those traits in the film’s climactic scene, an intimate man-to-man duel with the gunfighter Johnny Ringo (a devilish Michael Biehn), that stands as arguably the best gun battle of the modern Western era — even if only two shots were fired.
—Joseph Hudak, Rolling Stone, 2 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for devilish
Mike Lynch, Twin Cities, 6 Apr. 2025
These devilish tracking cookies were supposedly being killed, until Google hit the pause button last July.
—Zak Doffman, Forbes.com, 22 Apr. 2025
That wasn’t possible because Pollux was immortal, but despite his devilish nature Zeus had a soft spot in his heart for his son.
—Mike Lynch, Twin Cities, 6 Apr. 2025
Kilmer played up all of those traits in the film’s climactic scene, an intimate man-to-man duel with the gunfighter Johnny Ringo (a devilish Michael Biehn), that stands as arguably the best gun battle of the modern Western era — even if only two shots were fired.
—Joseph Hudak, Rolling Stone, 2 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for devilish
Recent Examples of Synonyms for devilish
Adjective
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These thunderstorms are producing an excessive amount of deadly cloud to ground lightning.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
16 May 2025
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The lawsuit argues the incident is part of a larger pattern of excessive force by deputies.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
16 May 2025
Adjective
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Bill Skarsgård returns to play Pennywise, the demonic clown that serves as It's most frequently used guise.—
Nick Romano,
EW.com,
20 May 2025
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Although perhaps not as crazy as their Berber grandmother, who puts both his addiction and the virus down to the Red Wind, a kind of demonic possession.—
Stephanie Bunbury,
Deadline,
19 May 2025
Adjective
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Dunk’s mischievous sense of humour was highlighted by poking fun at critics of Hurzeler while attending a Premier League darts event in Brighton in March.—
Andy Naylor,
New York Times,
30 Apr. 2025
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His voice babbles away throughout the record and his mischievous personality shines.—
Thomas Smith,
Billboard,
24 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Thriving after having faced extreme adversity is core to Marine Electric Systems culture, and to the US Navy itself.—
Connie Etemadi,
USA Today,
13 May 2025
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The projectile, a kinetic energy warhead, hits its target with extreme speed.—
Ryan Chan,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 May 2025
Adjective
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With the two men mismatched in temperament and direction, Diller was gone in a year and a half—fleeing one sinister Davis (Martin) for the arms of another, equally sinister one (Marvin), who controlled Twentieth Century Fox.—
Adam Gopnik,
New Yorker,
19 May 2025
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Though it was written around the time of Malibu’s Woolsey fire, the 14-minute long dirge that encompasses flames in Malibu and a cougar that roams the hills took on a new and sinister meaning in the aftermath of the more recent fires.—
Chris Willman,
Variety,
19 May 2025
Adjective
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Dodgers starter Dustin May was good, dotting the corners of the strike zone with his wicked sinker-sweeper combination en route to a 6 ⅔-inning, two-run, five-strikeout outing — his longest since returning from a second career elbow surgery this year.—
Jack Harris,
Los Angeles Times,
11 May 2025
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Enter Halvorsen, who struck out the dangerous Torkelson, walked McKinstry to load the bases, and then struck out Dillon Dingler with a wicked 2-2 slider.—
Patrick Saunders,
Denver Post,
7 May 2025
Adjective
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Amanda learned in like 10 seconds, which is insane.—
Scott Roxborough,
The Hollywood Reporter,
24 Mar. 2025
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If 51% of the population is being so underserved, the ratio to opportunity is insane.—
Gemma Allen,
Forbes,
23 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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The moment instantly sparked playful reactions cross the internet with some cheekily demanding the robot get its act together.—
Caché McClay,
USA Today,
18 May 2025
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Plus, the playful green shade will add a pop of color to any summer travel wardrobe.—
Melony Forcier,
Travel + Leisure,
18 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Devilish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/devilish. Accessed 25 May. 2025.
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