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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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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
-
Fire marshals charged Cherry with three counts of second-degree arson, three counts of criminal mischief, and three counts of reckless endangerment.—
Thomas Tracy,
New York Daily News,
9 May 2025
-
In the video, De Souza jumps around a bouncy castle and making mischief at a stuffy garden party.—
Madison Bloom,
Pitchfork,
30 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
The plot, which takes place in Páez’s native province of Santa Fe, involves a witchcraft university, an itinerant circus, and the fateful meeting of two teenagers.—
Ernesto Lechner,
Rolling Stone,
10 May 2025
-
In Africa, for instance, there is a misconception that the affected person has been cursed by witchcraft or that the movement disorder is contagious.—
Indu Subramanian,
The Conversation,
1 May 2025
Noun
-
Bassett’s sword and sorcery movie Red Sonja will be released by Samuel Goldwyn Films later this year.—
Melanie Goodfellow,
Deadline,
9 May 2025
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His Game 2 first half was evidence that his sorcery is still capable of outpacing Father Time.—
Bennett Durando,
Denver Post,
21 Apr. 2025
Noun
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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
-
Men’s Pro Doubles Recap US Open bronze medalists and shock APP singles finalist Bhatia couldn’t continue his Naples magic with partner Mehta on tour, losing in the 16s to the unstoppable top seeds Will Howells & Jack Munro.—
Todd Boss,
Forbes.com,
12 May 2025
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Opponents are figuring out how neutralize Miami by denying Messi and his attacking partners space to work their magic and outracing Miami players in transition.—
Michelle Kaufman,
Miami Herald,
11 May 2025
Noun
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Alyssa Wentzel, an undergraduate at the University of Delaware who joined Dr. Wozniak aboard Alvin, described the enchantment of sinking into the darkness of the ocean depths on the 70-minute journey to the seafloor.—
Maya Wei-Haas,
New York Times,
2 May 2025
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But any semblance of real whimsy and enchantment (let alone profits) went down the rabbit hole with Tim Burton, who stepped down from director to producer for this diminished sequel.—
Staff Author,
EW.com,
22 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Devilry.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/devilry. Accessed 23 May. 2025.
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