1
as in excessive
going beyond a normal or acceptable limit in degree or amount
that's a devilish amount of bad luck for any person to have to endure
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in demonic
of, relating to, or worthy of an evil spirit
a devilish plan to sabotage the other party's political convention
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in mischievous
tending to or exhibiting reckless playfulness
a devilish grin that told us he was up to something
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of devilish
Crosswinds — which many players have described as one of Royal Troon’s most devilish challenges — make that practice particularly difficult.
—
Gabby Herzig, The Athletic, 18 July 2024
As the tides of fortune spin, so does the boat, allowing lightning designer Kevin Adams to spotlight specific occupants in ghostly green, devilish red, and soft sunrise hues.
—EW.com, 20 Nov. 2024
The joy of Aston Villa's devilish left-sided attacks Cooper's fighting talk is part of Leicester's new combative off-field approach
Confidence.
—New York Times, 20 Sep. 2024
Harris' court case attracted lots of attention, with some clamoring for Sam to return to his devilish lifestyle and animal rights activists demanding the chimp be released from his racy conditions.
—Grace Tucker, The Enquirer, 13 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for devilish 
Gabby Herzig, The Athletic, 18 July 2024
As the tides of fortune spin, so does the boat, allowing lightning designer Kevin Adams to spotlight specific occupants in ghostly green, devilish red, and soft sunrise hues.
—EW.com, 20 Nov. 2024
The joy of Aston Villa's devilish left-sided attacks Cooper's fighting talk is part of Leicester's new combative off-field approach
Confidence.
—New York Times, 20 Sep. 2024
Harris' court case attracted lots of attention, with some clamoring for Sam to return to his devilish lifestyle and animal rights activists demanding the chimp be released from his racy conditions.
—Grace Tucker, The Enquirer, 13 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for devilish
Recent Examples of Synonyms for devilish
Adjective
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Those not able to cash in, however, see the program as one of two things: a genuine offer hamstrung by excessive red tape, or a half-hollow gesture meant to rack up free PR in the midst of a historic disaster.—
Jack Flemming,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Jan. 2025
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Progressive reformers viewed this as a modern evil just like unsafe working conditions and the excessive power of trusts.—
Livia Gershon,
JSTOR Daily,
28 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Set in Europe during the Dark Ages, the story sees hordes from Hell invading Europe when the Six Petals, a secret sect of the Knights Templar, pray to God to drive back the demonic scourge.—
Borys Kit,
The Hollywood Reporter,
21 Jan. 2025
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Charismatic Christian nationalists tend to use the language of prophecy and demonic possession amid calls for God’s direct and immediate intervention in society.—
Liam Adams,
USA TODAY,
13 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Travelers in search of mischievous chimps will soon be able to stay at River Station, an eco-chic camp built by Wildplaces Africa near Kyambura, while Great Lakes Safaris is constructing Padibi Lodge on the site of a former Jane Goodall research center in Budongo.—
Alexandra Owens,
Robb Report,
23 Jan. 2025
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My brother navigated the single-lane, snaking roads with a mischievous, childlike grin.—
Sara Lieberman,
Travel + Leisure,
21 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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However, these approaches can face challenges, including limited effectiveness in mitigating the sharp, high-frequency impact noises of pickleball and having potential durability issues in extreme weather.—
Scott Miller,
Forbes,
24 Jan. 2025
-
There, back-to-back wet winters triggered last year’s extreme land movement that warped roads, cracked houses and transformed landscapes.—
Hailey Branson-Potts,
Los Angeles Times,
24 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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The Alaska story represents Perkins’ tireless brainstorming of ways to help and also, perhaps, her blind spot to a more sinister history of American settler colonialism.—
Sara Georgini,
Smithsonian Magazine,
21 Jan. 2025
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After Season 1 introduced viewers to the offbeat, sinister world of Lumon Industries, the Innies that make up its workforce, and the Outies compartmentalizing their lives, Season 2 is now unfolding deeper, stranger intricacies that speak to how corporations deal with dissenters.—
Harrison Richlin,
IndieWire,
19 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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His wicked knuckle-curve pairs with a 96-mph fastball.—
Phil Rogers,
Forbes,
20 Jan. 2025
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His wicked point shot is just what Coach Carbs needs for his system of double screens of the goalie.—
Shayna Goldman,
The Athletic,
16 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
Your voice is insane.—
Mary Colurso | mcolurso@al.com,
al,
4 Apr. 2023
-
The Republican and right-wing reaction is just insane.—
Michael Tomasky,
The New Republic,
31 Mar. 2023
Adjective
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Decorated with lace-up flys and perched just so on the hips, Marant’s tight pants are playful, vintage-inspired takes on the trend.—
Jana Ackermann,
Glamour,
30 Jan. 2025
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The Top Dawg signee leaps beyond her TikTok hit and playful EPs with effortless storytelling and beats that harken back to ’90s hip-hop.—
Madison Bloom,
Pitchfork,
29 Jan. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Devilish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/devilish. Accessed 4 Feb. 2025.
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