variants
or deviltry
1
as in mischief
playful, reckless behavior that is not intended to cause serious harm
children always getting into some devilry
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in sorcery
the power to control natural forces through supernatural means
superstitious villagers who were quick to attribute an unexpected occurrence to devilry
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of devilry
Dancing spirits, dressed in Victorian-era garb, stir up devilry as the night unfolds.
—
Abby Hamblin, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Oct. 2025
If Michael Jackson moonwalked so that Prince could show us the face of God with his brain-melting 2007 set, the NFL’s reaction to Fox’s inspired bit of devilry set the stage for the league’s eventual takeover of the American psyche.
—Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 17 Oct. 2025
Madcap technical devilry, along with a jestful sense of humor, embroiders the edges of his endlessly replayable mix.
—Pitchfork, 30 Sep. 2025
Maybe, Nicholas comes to think, what bedevils him is not a medical condition—the sort of thing a physician can properly diagnose—but the devilry of Pan.
—Scott Stossel, The Atlantic, 9 Sep. 2025
As shown in his previous films, Eggers’ sensibility has roots not in contemporary horror but in stories from centuries past that become vivid and febrile, alive with an insidious devilry that inches under your skin.
—David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 2 Dec. 2024
That’s enough devilry to explain at least much of Haiti’s challenges without resorting to tales of satanic influence.
—Matthew Brown, Washington Post, 24 Mar. 2024
Shyamalan, to be fair, has lost none of his compositional devilry; notice his bisecting of the screen with clean vertical lines—the trunk of a tree, or the edge of a shower curtain, behind which somebody may or may not lurk.
—Anthony Lane, The New Yorker, 3 Feb. 2023
Suddenly, modernists were jockeying to impose some glass-and-steel devilry atop the old dame.
—Shawn McCreesh, Curbed, 17 Aug. 2021
Abby Hamblin, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Oct. 2025
If Michael Jackson moonwalked so that Prince could show us the face of God with his brain-melting 2007 set, the NFL’s reaction to Fox’s inspired bit of devilry set the stage for the league’s eventual takeover of the American psyche.
—Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 17 Oct. 2025
Madcap technical devilry, along with a jestful sense of humor, embroiders the edges of his endlessly replayable mix.
—Pitchfork, 30 Sep. 2025
Maybe, Nicholas comes to think, what bedevils him is not a medical condition—the sort of thing a physician can properly diagnose—but the devilry of Pan.
—Scott Stossel, The Atlantic, 9 Sep. 2025
As shown in his previous films, Eggers’ sensibility has roots not in contemporary horror but in stories from centuries past that become vivid and febrile, alive with an insidious devilry that inches under your skin.
—David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 2 Dec. 2024
That’s enough devilry to explain at least much of Haiti’s challenges without resorting to tales of satanic influence.
—Matthew Brown, Washington Post, 24 Mar. 2024
Shyamalan, to be fair, has lost none of his compositional devilry; notice his bisecting of the screen with clean vertical lines—the trunk of a tree, or the edge of a shower curtain, behind which somebody may or may not lurk.
—Anthony Lane, The New Yorker, 3 Feb. 2023
Suddenly, modernists were jockeying to impose some glass-and-steel devilry atop the old dame.
—Shawn McCreesh, Curbed, 17 Aug. 2021
Recent Examples of Synonyms for devilry
Noun
-
He’s also charged with criminal mischief.—
Kerry Burke,
New York Daily News,
2 May 2026
-
In an alleged incident involving Mortensen in February 2023, Paul was arrested on misdemeanor charges of assault, criminal mischief and commission of domestic violence in the presence of a child, according to police.—
KiMi Robinson,
USA Today,
1 May 2026
Noun
-
In a feat of sorcery that should have other sandwich makers crying in their beer, the ciabatta roll here is tender and comparatively thin.—
Brock Keeling,
Oc Register,
24 Apr. 2026
-
She was found guilty of heresy and sorcery in 1441.—
Gitanjali Roy,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
23 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Mustard and vinegar provide the devilment for a flavorful bite, particularly when topped with a scattering of scallions and paprika.—
SAVEUR Editors,
Saveur,
5 Feb. 2025
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But even if truffles are beyond your pay grade, there is plenty of enjoyment to be had in the sheer devilment portrayed in this informative and appetizing book.—
Eugenia Bone,
WSJ,
10 July 2019
Noun
-
The story then sees Evelina torn between her romantic feelings for Alaric, her duties to help the sick and her roots in witchcraft.—
Madison E. Goldberg,
PEOPLE,
1 May 2026
-
During Elizabeth Jackson’s trial, Jorden argued that Mary’s afflictions had nothing to do with witchcraft.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Still, the moon in Sagittarius adds a layer of playfulness and possibility to the mix.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
4 May 2026
-
Plus, adding a little fizz lends an element of playfulness and visual appeal.—
Karla Walsh,
Better Homes & Gardens,
1 May 2026
Noun
-
The two lead characters are members of fictional species living in a land known as The Valley with a bit of magic.—
Tribune News Service,
Baltimore Sun,
4 May 2026
-
For the Walt Disney Company’s most loyal fans, the pursuit of magic can come with a five-figure credit-card bill.—
David Remnick,
New Yorker,
4 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Devilry.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/devilry. Accessed 9 May. 2026.
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