as in overly
beyond a normal or acceptable limit
a devilishly clever scheme to make money
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Recent Examples of devilishly
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
But his greatest gay baddie is the infamous Bruno (Robert Walker) in Strangers on a Train — a devilishly charming chap who, like so many other homosexuals, has a penchant for plans and schemes.
—Samantha Allen, Them., 7 Oct. 2025
The devilishly opulent piano bar–supper club provided a picture-perfect backdrop for guests like Taylor Hill, Alton Mason, Lila Moss and Coco Rocha, all naturally dressed to the nines.
—Alex Catarinella, Forbes.com, 19 Sep. 2025
Where others shrink from its narrow turns, devilishly abrasive surface and punishing length, Gordon embraced Darlington.
—Shane Connuck, Charlotte Observer, 28 Aug. 2025
These photos aren’t swaying anybody, no matter how devilishly handsome Ryan Gosling looks.
—Christian Blauvelt, IndieWire, 28 Aug. 2025
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
But his greatest gay baddie is the infamous Bruno (Robert Walker) in Strangers on a Train — a devilishly charming chap who, like so many other homosexuals, has a penchant for plans and schemes.
—Samantha Allen, Them., 7 Oct. 2025
The devilishly opulent piano bar–supper club provided a picture-perfect backdrop for guests like Taylor Hill, Alton Mason, Lila Moss and Coco Rocha, all naturally dressed to the nines.
—Alex Catarinella, Forbes.com, 19 Sep. 2025
Where others shrink from its narrow turns, devilishly abrasive surface and punishing length, Gordon embraced Darlington.
—Shane Connuck, Charlotte Observer, 28 Aug. 2025
These photos aren’t swaying anybody, no matter how devilishly handsome Ryan Gosling looks.
—Christian Blauvelt, IndieWire, 28 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for devilishly
Adverb
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Wright warned that expectations for a drop in oil prices this summer may be overly optimistic, citing disruptions to maritime traffic through the strategic Strait of Hormuz.—
Antonio María Delgado,
Miami Herald,
14 Apr. 2026
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Sieger’s overly grey dish had dry tenderloin, and his carrot BBQ sauce was oddly flavored and too thick.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
14 Apr. 2026
Adverb
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Triple-A depth is starting to get healthy, too, with right-hander Corbin Martin coming off the IL on Sunday after dealing with back spasms and getting into Tuesday’s game, while right-hander Collin Snider (arm fatigue) is expected to pitch for Iowa in the next day or two.—
Meghan Montemurro,
Chicago Tribune,
16 Apr. 2026
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If a plan sounds too perfect, look at the details to ensure none of them have been overlooked.—
Tarot.com,
Hartford Courant,
16 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Devilishly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/devilishly. Accessed 22 Apr. 2026.
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