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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Sennecke has only taken his first step and doesn’t display Perry’s devilish side or his accidentally-on-purpose way of distracting goalies.
—
Eric Stephens, New York Times, 4 Feb. 2026
Unfortunately, the shattering beauty of the music is sometimes swallowed in the devilish din.
—Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 3 Feb. 2026
Send Help is the first movie gem of 2026, a devilish treat and welcome respite from the real world.
—Pete Hammond, Deadline, 26 Jan. 2026
Both of the above are essential to the show’s endgame, ensuring that a sequence of unhinged kickers ostensibly meant to be devilish fun instead come across as mean-spirited and exploitative.
—Judy Berman, Time, 8 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for devilish
Eric Stephens, New York Times, 4 Feb. 2026
Unfortunately, the shattering beauty of the music is sometimes swallowed in the devilish din.
—Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 3 Feb. 2026
Send Help is the first movie gem of 2026, a devilish treat and welcome respite from the real world.
—Pete Hammond, Deadline, 26 Jan. 2026
Both of the above are essential to the show’s endgame, ensuring that a sequence of unhinged kickers ostensibly meant to be devilish fun instead come across as mean-spirited and exploitative.
—Judy Berman, Time, 8 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for devilish
Recent Examples of Synonyms for devilish
Adjective
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The two highest-ranking Republicans in the state legislature called Wednesday for former New Britain mayor Erin Stewart to consider dropping out of the governor’s race over reported excessive spending on the city’s credit card.—
Christopher Keating,
Hartford Courant,
14 May 2026
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Parents Alexus Benavidez and Rauf Scott of Collin County filed a complaint this month against Kids ‘R’ Kids of Lawler Farm in Frisco, alleging their 3-year-old son was the victim of excessive physical force that included yanking, spanking and smacking the toddler.—
Lina Ruiz
May 14,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
14 May 2026
Adjective
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It was named for Lilith, a demonic figure of Jewish folklore who is said to have been Adam’s first wife (before Eve).—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
8 May 2026
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Aside from unpredictable fellow patients — some of whom are prone to violent outbursts — Pepper also has horrifying visions of a demonic beast.—
Eric Andersson,
PEOPLE,
6 May 2026
Adjective
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Elevated rooms—some villas sit on stilts above the jungle floor, giving full treehouse vibes—offer total immersion within the thick, humid jungle, underscored by wild birds, hypnotic cicadas, and the swing of mischievous monkeys.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
6 May 2026
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Turner often carried a mischievous twinkle in his eye.—
David Folkenflik,
NPR,
6 May 2026
Adjective
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Nothing too extreme thus far — no darkness retreat, ayahuasca journey or draft-night hijacking — but still, enough to make the Steelers feel just a bit uneasy.—
Michael Silver,
New York Times,
12 May 2026
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Outdoor succulents should be kept somewhat sheltered from extreme weather such as high winds or heavy rains.—
Peg Aloi,
The Spruce,
12 May 2026
Adjective
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Anais has no idea that this institute in the desert is run by a secret cult – where healing is not the objective – but a gateway to something far more sinister.—
Roberto Prieto,
Variety,
13 May 2026
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On their first album under the moniker, the two noisemakers from Animal Collective delight in this combination, foregrounding campfire acoustics while sinister drones lurk around the corner.—
Ethan Beck,
Pitchfork,
12 May 2026
Adjective
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As Thompson reveals, Lean grew up Quaker and was forbidden from seeing movies, which were considered wicked.—
Matthew Carey,
Deadline,
12 May 2026
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Go enjoy a wicked musical from before America lost so much of its sense of humor.—
Chris Jones,
Chicago Tribune,
11 May 2026
Adjective
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In any other historical period, proposing such a career trajectory would’ve seemed mildly insane — like if Peter Buck had followed up Fables of the Reconstruction by producing Whitney Houston instead of the Feelies.—
Jon Dolan,
Rolling Stone,
14 May 2026
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For so much of the season, Rachel is low-key stoned, which can keep her at a remove, even when things are getting really insane.—
Kate Erbland,
IndieWire,
14 May 2026
Adjective
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The story follows a group of people trapped in a mysterious town where monsters haunt the streets and night and diabolical forces seem determined to terrorize and confound our heroes.—
Erik Kain,
Forbes.com,
9 May 2026
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But Jim Parsons and Layton Williams all but run away with the evening, finding diabolical laughs as Rose’s helicopter mom and a Tina Turner-esque iceberg.—
Patrick Ryan,
USA Today,
3 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Devilish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/devilish. Accessed 18 May. 2026.
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