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
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
Sent to New York to retrieve his devilish brothers, Nicky spots Cassius (Tommy Lister Jr.), in the form of a referee (Dana Carvey), causing trouble during a Harlem Globetrotters game, so much so that the fans are on the verge of rioting.
—Derek Lawrence, Vulture, 28 July 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
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
Sent to New York to retrieve his devilish brothers, Nicky spots Cassius (Tommy Lister Jr.), in the form of a referee (Dana Carvey), causing trouble during a Harlem Globetrotters game, so much so that the fans are on the verge of rioting.
—Derek Lawrence, Vulture, 28 July 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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Just don't glaze because that's heaping someone with excessive and insincere praise.—
Phaedra Trethan,
USA Today,
5 Oct. 2025
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Typically, when there is an outbreak of hemorrhagic disease, Tennessee saw excessive rain in spring and early summer with dry coditions in late summer, the agency said.—
Kirsten Fiscus,
Nashville Tennessean,
5 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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With every temptation, Jesus is lured into a forbidden world, and a terrified Joseph soon realizes that a demonic power is at work.—
Mekishana Pierre,
Entertainment Weekly,
1 Oct. 2025
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On the Met’s stage, the writer — called, say, Jamal Khashoggi — would be sung by a heroic tenor, his tormentor by a demonic baritone.—
Justin Davidson,
Vulture,
30 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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During the preview, a mischievous group of young diplodocus splash in the water around a pair of kayaking guests, while other juveniles like the triceratops are more cautious in nature, choosing to stick close to their parents.—
Griff Griffin,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Sep. 2025
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The characters are bright, marionette-like caricatures whom the author constructs and moves ostentatiously in full view of the reader, revealing his artistic devices with a sense of absurd, mischievous humor.—
Nelly Klos
September 29,
Literary Hub,
29 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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During the third quarter, Fever star Kelsey Mitchell left the court due to extreme cramping in her lower body.—
Frank Nunns O'Connell,
CNN Money,
1 Oct. 2025
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But the plan roundly ignores the contributions of climate change to the state's extreme heat problem.—
Joan Meiners,
AZCentral.com,
1 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Is their entire a life a facade for something more sinister?—
Christian Zilko,
IndieWire,
3 Oct. 2025
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Drawn in by her fortune and allure, Calvin accepts an invitation aboard her superyacht Eternity, only to realize her glamorous world hides sinister secrets.—
Andreas Wiseman,
Deadline,
2 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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For some, that Friday will be extra wicked, but for a good reason.—
Addy Bink,
The Hill,
30 Sep. 2025
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As if Minos inspired such hatred, such fear and disgust, that the feelings themselves boiled up from Daedalus’s heart and gushed out through the tap to cook the wicked king alive.—
Seamus Sullivan
September 29,
Literary Hub,
29 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Continue reading … ORWELL NIGHTMARE – Joe Rogan blasts 'insane' media silence on arrests for social media posts.—
,
FOXNews.com,
2 Oct. 2025
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The queen greeted this insane question with a politely regal stare, ignored my faux pas, and continued talking about financial inclusion.—
Ben Smith,
semafor.com,
29 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Sweeney and Dickson have been experimenting with more playful sartorial risks in the few months too; sailor chic via Coperni, subversive corporate attire with a pantsless suit and tie combo via Jean Paul Gaultier, and silky power suiting by Oscar de la Renta.—
Anna Cafolla,
Vogue,
1 Oct. 2025
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January’s energy is heightening your creative side and invites a playful, loving energy into your interactions.—
Meghan Rose,
Glamour,
1 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Devilish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/devilish. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.
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