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
-
That’s likely why his movie is more daring in its humor and tone, bringing a refreshing infusion of mischief to Pixar while maintaining the genuine emotional gravitas that has endeared the company to audiences for over 30 years.—
Carlos Aguilar,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Mar. 2026
-
Toni Rice, 44, pleaded guilty to charges of criminal mischief, tampering with physical evidence, intimidating a participant in the legal process and tampering with a witness, as well as misdemeanor charges of failing to stop and render aid, falsely reporting an incident and official misconduct.—
Caroline Neal,
Louisville Courier Journal,
6 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The sword-and-sorcery title grossed over $68M worldwide, coming to be appreciated as a cult classic, and spawned the sequel Conan the Destroyer (1984).—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
9 Mar. 2026
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The figure of an older woman working alone in a forest hovel inevitably brings some kind of sorcery to mind, but Hjorth’s earlier novels haven’t made too much of the suggestion.—
Elaine Blair,
Harpers Magazine,
24 Feb. 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
-
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
-
She was regarded as the female Christ by her followers but accused of witchcraft by outsiders.—
Saman Shafiq,
USA Today,
9 Mar. 2026
-
Pay multiple people from the crafts site Etsy to perform tarot readings, lift any existing curses and otherwise engage in witchcraft.—
Tyler Estep,
AJC.com,
4 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
From artwork and textiles to throw pillows and statues, there are endless ways to incorporate the natural playfulness and charm animals offer.—
Cori Sears,
Better Homes & Gardens,
10 Mar. 2026
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The hotel-crisp percale is made even more dignified with a thick blue stripe around its border, giving a plain white duvet insert a sense of playfulness and occasion.—
Julia Harrison,
Architectural Digest,
9 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
This mix of mechanical engineering and movie magic paved the way for more than a century of special effects.—
Munis Raza,
Interesting Engineering,
9 Mar. 2026
-
Add your magic and do your thing.—
Sean Krofssik,
Hartford Courant,
9 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Devilry.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/devilry. Accessed 12 Mar. 2026.
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