as in overly
beyond a normal or acceptable limit
a devilishly clever scheme to make money
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 devilishly
Developing new housing in the United States is devilishly complicated, lined with obstacles like zoning laws and public review processes that can vary by zip code.
—
Nathaniel Meyersohn, CNN Money, 4 June 2026
The Timberwolves were up 2-1 against their bitter rivals, and there was DiVincenzo, playing pranks and laughing devilishly.
—Jon Krawczynski, New York Times, 27 May 2026
Thankfully, The Great American Baking Show has two devilishly distracting hosts at hand to make sure the participants are juggling as many plates as possible.
—Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 22 May 2026
Little things like that make this unit devilishly clever.
—Joe Salas
may 09, New Atlas, 9 May 2026
Nick and Jules’ sister Portia is a real trip, an alternately flighty and haughty mean girl played to devilishly effervescent perfection by Dickinson scene stealer Gus Birney.
—Judy Berman, Time, 26 Mar. 2026
The solid dramatic framework that Gyllenhaal establishes drives events onward with relentless force, and her film is devilishly clever in its fusion of gothic horror and film-noir tropes.
—Richard Brody, New Yorker, 4 Mar. 2026
In one of the most deal-ridden and far too often contrived places on the globe, Steny was straightforward, smart, wise, direct, honest on the real odds about anything and everything, and blessed with a sense of humor that, if saintly in purpose, was devilishly clever in delivery.
—Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 11 Jan. 2026
Docket’s famous chickpea chips starter is devilishly addictive, and the chef’s counter puts guests even closer to the creations.
—James March, Travel + Leisure, 1 Dec. 2025
Nathaniel Meyersohn, CNN Money, 4 June 2026
The Timberwolves were up 2-1 against their bitter rivals, and there was DiVincenzo, playing pranks and laughing devilishly.
—Jon Krawczynski, New York Times, 27 May 2026
Thankfully, The Great American Baking Show has two devilishly distracting hosts at hand to make sure the participants are juggling as many plates as possible.
—Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 22 May 2026
Little things like that make this unit devilishly clever.
—Joe Salas
may 09, New Atlas, 9 May 2026
Nick and Jules’ sister Portia is a real trip, an alternately flighty and haughty mean girl played to devilishly effervescent perfection by Dickinson scene stealer Gus Birney.
—Judy Berman, Time, 26 Mar. 2026
The solid dramatic framework that Gyllenhaal establishes drives events onward with relentless force, and her film is devilishly clever in its fusion of gothic horror and film-noir tropes.
—Richard Brody, New Yorker, 4 Mar. 2026
In one of the most deal-ridden and far too often contrived places on the globe, Steny was straightforward, smart, wise, direct, honest on the real odds about anything and everything, and blessed with a sense of humor that, if saintly in purpose, was devilishly clever in delivery.
—Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 11 Jan. 2026
Docket’s famous chickpea chips starter is devilishly addictive, and the chef’s counter puts guests even closer to the creations.
—James March, Travel + Leisure, 1 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for devilishly
Adverb
-
Frette linen bathrobes were soft, not overly cumbersome like most robes tend to be.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
4 June 2026
-
Here, Jay seemed aggrieved, almost overly intense, demonstrative with his body language and vocal inflection.—
Jayson Buford,
Rolling Stone,
3 June 2026
Adverb
-
Obviously, there's more to it than that, coaching and other factors need to be in place too, but does anyone believe Fernando Mendoza winds up in Bloomington if not for NIL?—
Ian Miller OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
4 June 2026
-
There are some more interesting initiatives, too.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
4 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Devilishly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/devilishly. Accessed 10 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
