bedevil

verb

be·​dev·​il bi-ˈde-vəl How to pronounce bedevil (audio)
bē-
bedeviled; bedeviling; bedevils

transitive verb

1
: to possess with or as if with a devil
2
: to cause distress : trouble
3
: to change for the worse : spoil
4
: to confuse utterly
bedevilment noun

Examples of bedevil in a Sentence

The theory bedevils scientists, none of whom have been able to prove it true or false. The project has been bedeviled by problems since its inception.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Construction of the new house, which started in 2019, has been bedeviled with delays, in part because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Andres Viglucci, Miami Herald, 14 Jan. 2025 Problems highlighted in the report echo issues that bedeviled millions of taxpayers during the pandemic, when the IRS shuttered its offices, causing many returns to get caught in a bottleneck, delaying refunds. Aimee Picchi, CBS News, 8 Jan. 2025 And Mahomes has particularly bedeviled the Chargers, improving to 10-2 in his career. Andrew Greif, NBC News, 9 Dec. 2024 Advertisement Movies For Subscribers The 27 best movie theaters in Los Angeles Nov. 22, 2023 Nick is bedeviled by his thieving foes, fascinated by them, and now has nothing to lose. Katie Walsh, Los Angeles Times, 10 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for bedevil 

Word History

First Known Use

1574, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of bedevil was in 1574

Dictionary Entries Near bedevil

Cite this Entry

“Bedevil.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bedevil. Accessed 26 Jan. 2025.

Kids Definition

bedevil

verb
be·​dev·​il bi-ˈdev-əl How to pronounce bedevil (audio)
: to trouble or annoy again and again : pester, harass
bedeviled by problems
bedevilment noun

More from Merriam-Webster on bedevil

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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