as in overly
beyond a normal or acceptable limit
a devilishly clever scheme to make money
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Recent Examples of devilishly
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
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
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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for devilishly
Adverb
-
The situation is tricky enough in the case of innovations that users voluntarily adopt—plenty of people do not let their dim view of Meta overly interfere with their enjoyment of Instagram.—
Gideon Lewis-Kraus,
New Yorker,
7 May 2026
-
Keep it practical instead of idealistic or overly influenced by outside opinions.—
Tarot.com,
Hartford Courant,
5 May 2026
Adverb
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And Bona, a second-year reserve, got caught too many times reaching in the cookie jar while defending Towns.—
Fiifi Frimpong,
New York Daily News,
7 May 2026
-
His next three fixtures are great for many reasons, too.—
Abdul Rehman,
New York Times,
7 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Devilishly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/devilishly. Accessed 12 May. 2026.
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