devilish

adjective

ˈde-vᵊl-ish How to pronounce devilish (audio)
Definition of devilishnext
1
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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2
as in mischievous
tending to or exhibiting reckless playfulness a devilish grin that told us he was up to something

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
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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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of devilish Each act unfolds over a season, and each season brings with it a devilish new conundrum. — Justin Chang, New Yorker, 30 July 2026 Too little regulation could allow the unleashing of devilish AI that might wipe us out or at least be horrendously destructive. — Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 7 July 2026 Even featuring wider fairways than in previous years, some forecasted winds and devilish green complexes should combine to once again mystify the game’s best players. — Jason Sobel, New York Times, 17 June 2026 Ari Millen is the devilish titular character offering kids sweet delights with horrifying results in the trailer for Eli Roth’s Ice Cream Man, which dropped on Wednesday. — Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 3 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for devilish
Recent Examples of Synonyms for devilish
  1. demonic
  2. mischievous
  3. excessive
  4. sinister
  5. wicked
  6. extreme
  7. diabolical
  8. playful
Adjective
  • The Devil’s portrait is included as an acknowledgment of demonic assistance.
    — Laura Payne, Encyclopedia Britannica, 30 Oct. 2026
  • Blaze/Ghost Rider did not exactly have a signature villain but did have a coterie of demonic antagonists.
    — Aaron Couch, HollywoodReporter, 27 Oct. 2026
Definition of demonic
Adjective
  • The monkeys are adorable from a distance and mischievous up close.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Oct. 2026
  • On their full-length debut, the buzzy NYC siblings pay tribute to the fuckboy charm of the aughts with their precocious, mischievous, and rapidly evolving pop music.
    — Samuel Hyland, Pitchfork, 28 Oct. 2026
Definition of mischievous
Adjective
  • According to a one-year analysis of data collected from San Francisco’s 33 camera locations and other traffic-sensing equipment, excessive speeding — more than 10 mph above the speed limit — dropped nearly 80%.
    — Kevinisha Walker, Los Angeles Times, 26 Oct. 2026
  • Brought by Koya’s estate and daughter Nathifa Wright, it’s being heard at Sacramento’s United States District Court and seeks damages for 17 claims, including false detention, excessive force and wrongful death.
    — Theresa Clift, Sacbee.com, 26 Oct. 2026
Definition of excessive
Adjective
  • The Democrat’s disposition as a love-thy-trans-neighbor seminarian is a cover for something far more sinister, the argument goes.
    — Aidan McLaughlin, Vanity Fair, 30 Oct. 2026
  • The sinister presence torments the family, and when their two-year-old suddenly vanishes, fear spirals into hysteria and paranoia as the family confronts a terrifying force that has turned their connected world against them.
    — Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 29 Oct. 2026
Definition of sinister
Adjective
  • Mischa Glooshkoff, aka Michael Graves, has light brown curls, a wicked grin, and a wiry frame—perfect casting for the grand boulevardier who would lead my naïve young father astray.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 26 Oct. 2026
  • There’s also the problem of Angelique’s wicked stepmother, Argan’s gold-digging second wife, Beline.
    — Sara Holdren, Vulture, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of wicked
Adjective
  • Many of these materials are made from oil, which emits pollutants when burned, driving climate change and fueling extreme weather.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 24 Oct. 2026
  • The flooding comes after extreme weather hit the Southwest throughout the week.
    — Ava Berger, NPR, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of extreme
Adjective
  • Numerous treatise writers began to insist that anyone who doubts the diabolical empowerment of women-as-witches is self-deluded and dangerous.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 14 Oct. 2026
  • Almost as soon as Jackie enters her flat there, she is accosted by gunmen, narrowly escaping before learning the diabolical and psychopathic mercenaries, The Seven Demons, have been tasked with ending her life.
    — Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of diabolical
Adjective
  • That hasn’t changed much on Heavy Is the Crown, especially since Cordae spends a chunk of this otherwise fleet and playful album lagging behind his sparring partner.
    — Dylan Green, Pitchfork, 29 Oct. 2026
  • Qiu’s eloquence lies in such playful gestures, which are pleasurable for their own sake.
    — Mark Asch, Variety, 29 Oct. 2026
Definition of playful

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Cite this Entry

“Devilish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/devilish. Accessed 3 Nov. 2026.

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