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 witchcraft
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
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
Who are the sword and sorcery protagonists that scratch your itch for devilry and adventure?
—Washington Post, 18 Sep. 2021
Suddenly, modernists were jockeying to impose some glass-and-steel devilry atop the old dame.
—Shawn McCreesh, Curbed, 17 Aug. 2021
Before long, the angry and injured young wife is the one on trial for witchcraft — fighting for her life as the apparent evidence of devilry accrues.
—BostonGlobe.com, 6 May 2021
Aboard the ship, mysterious devilry begins to take place and a demon is suspected to be behind it.
—Kami Phillips, CNN Underscored, 8 Oct. 2020
The mildly disastrous consequences of Eddie’s devilry predictably set up the big moment at the end of the show in which Ward or June Cleaver would distill an important Life Lesson from the experience.
—Paul Farhi, Washington Post, 19 May 2020
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
Who are the sword and sorcery protagonists that scratch your itch for devilry and adventure?
—Washington Post, 18 Sep. 2021
Suddenly, modernists were jockeying to impose some glass-and-steel devilry atop the old dame.
—Shawn McCreesh, Curbed, 17 Aug. 2021
Before long, the angry and injured young wife is the one on trial for witchcraft — fighting for her life as the apparent evidence of devilry accrues.
—BostonGlobe.com, 6 May 2021
Aboard the ship, mysterious devilry begins to take place and a demon is suspected to be behind it.
—Kami Phillips, CNN Underscored, 8 Oct. 2020
The mildly disastrous consequences of Eddie’s devilry predictably set up the big moment at the end of the show in which Ward or June Cleaver would distill an important Life Lesson from the experience.
—Paul Farhi, Washington Post, 19 May 2020
Recent Examples of Synonyms for devilry
Noun
-
But when temptation stirs and hearts wander, the whole town gets caught up in a swirl of romance, mischief and melody.—
Leia Mendoza,
Variety,
14 Aug. 2025
-
But when temptation stirs and hearts wander, the whole town gets caught up in a swirl of romance, mischief, and melody.—
Greg Evans,
Deadline,
14 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Old New England wasn’t all scarlet letters, witchcraft trials, and theocratic socialism.—
Brian T. Allen,
National Review,
19 July 2025
-
Some people, however, did take issue with the museum displaying mummified cats in a recent exhibition about witchcraft.—
Sarah Kuta,
Smithsonian Magazine,
23 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Yes, the warrior who fought wizards, ogres and various other monsters in the Roger Corman-produced 1983 sword and sorcery cult classic is back on the big screen.—
Georg Szalai,
HollywoodReporter,
14 Aug. 2025
-
Both ancient and modern pieces are curated into exhibits about sorcery, motherhood, or high-fashion gowns.—
Sophie Friedman,
AFAR Media,
17 Apr. 2025
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 good news is that top performers’ success isn’t magic, and their communication style can be learned.—
Melody Wilding,
CNBC,
14 Aug. 2025
-
Google Wifi makes the magic happen in every corner of your home, no matter how far your couch is from the router (no, really).—
Juhi Wadia,
PC Magazine,
13 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Here are some of the itineraries that capture the enchantment of these fascinating countries in Northern Europe, each with its distinct personality and culture.—
AFAR Media,
AFAR Media,
29 July 2025
-
The warmer, wetter weather of summer usually makes these months the off-season for travel to the Isla del Encanto—the island of enchantment, as Puerto Rico is called—but this summer, all signs hotels are reaching record levels of occupancy.—
Carley Rojas Ávila,
Forbes.com,
14 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Devilry.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/devilry. Accessed 20 Aug. 2025.
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