variants
or devilling
as in tormenting
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Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deviling
Verb
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But the man hung himself, most likely due to Duncan tormenting him relentlessly like a jock pranking a nerd in an ‘80s campus comedy.—
Scott Tobias,
Vulture,
12 Apr. 2026 -
With the help of journalist Gerrick Kennedy, the memoir details Brandy's meteoric rise to fame as a young teen while volleying ambition, exhaustion and self-doubt, moving through a predatory and tormenting industry and being misunderstood in the public eye.—
Taijuan Moorman,
USA Today,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Saddam towered over Iraq’s political regime for nearly 30 years, plunging the country into multiple destructive wars, persecuting his own citizens and inflicting widespread trauma and suffering.—
David Faris,
TheWeek,
24 Apr. 2026
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The order also accused the Cuban government of persecuting political opponents, suppressing free speech and the press, and committing other human rights violations—actions that have been documented by human rights organizations over the years.—
Chad de Guzman,
Time,
17 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Elizabeth continues to be an infuriating character, interrupting with rude and unhelpful asides throughout the entire family meeting, casually gnawing on an orange slice as Greg and Katie have a heart-to-heart across the table.—
Erin Qualey,
Vulture,
11 May 2026
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Pastor John Mark Comer has won a massive audience by encouraging his followers to free themselves from the gnawing sense that there is always more to do, Nancy Walecki writes.—
David A. Graham,
The Atlantic,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
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But they haven’t been observed directly helping with the long security lines bedeviling passengers and their Department of Homeland Security colleagues in the Transportation Security Administration.—
Emma Hurt,
AJC.com,
24 Mar. 2026
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In a joint interview with the Chronicle, Uzelac and Executive Director Jennifer Delacroix blamed the cancellation on factors bedeviling many performing arts companies struggling to recover from the pandemic.—
Theater Critic,
San Francisco Chronicle,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Isaacman made the comments while endorsing a proposal to halve NASA's science budget, riling some astronomers.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
4 May 2026
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Some clips showed owls and ravens attacking the couple, especially riling up fans.—
Lila Seidman,
Los Angeles Times,
2 May 2026
Verb
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But its relative youth and iconic mascot have not shielded the brand from many of the same issues dogging the company’s older brands, such as Maxwell House and Philadelphia.—
Amelia Lucas,
CNBC,
13 May 2026
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Beyond the subtle nod to the Apple TV show, Carden, 46, recently talked to PEOPLE about Cola's surprising habit of raw-dogging her flights.—
Desiree Anello,
PEOPLE,
9 May 2026
Verb
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In a joint statement, the foreign ministers of both nations, which share the island of Hispaniola and a vexing history, announced that the Dominican Republic would restore commercial flights between Santo Domingo and Cap-Haïtien for the first time in over two years, beginning May 1.—
Jacqueline Charles,
Miami Herald,
21 Apr. 2026
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The third-year wing said he’s been working closely with Brown to devise methods of vexing Tyrese Maxey, the Sixers’ most dangerous offensive threat.—
Zack Cox,
Boston Herald,
19 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The actress, producer and book club founder took to social media to speak out about leaning in to artificial intelligence, rankling some of her followers in the process.—
Anika Reed,
USA Today,
17 Apr. 2026
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But Johnson recalled how in 2024 Newsom vetoed a bill that would have allowed undocumented people to work at public universities, rankling activists.—
Andrew Graham,
Sacbee.com,
15 Feb. 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Deviling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deviling. Accessed 18 May. 2026.
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