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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2
as in demonic
of, relating to, or worthy of an evil spirit
a devilish plan to sabotage the other party's political convention
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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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Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of devilish
These holy men are senior clergy members appointed by the pope to the Sacred College of Cardinals, but their ambitions can bring out their devilish instincts.
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Eric Andersson, People.com, 26 Oct. 2024
In the quaint village of Edmonton, a mysterious figure with devilish charm appears offering to fulfill the deepest desires of its inhabitants.
—Duante Beddingfield, Detroit Free Press, 25 Oct. 2024
With a dazzling set of wings strapped on, Carla Bruni made for a devilish angel for her Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show runway debut on Tuesday in New York.
—Violet Goldstone, WWD, 16 Oct. 2024
And so, on the night that the aerial spraying began came what was, for my money, one of the greatest political PR moments in the history of that devilish art.
—Patt Morrison, Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for devilish 
Eric Andersson, People.com, 26 Oct. 2024
In the quaint village of Edmonton, a mysterious figure with devilish charm appears offering to fulfill the deepest desires of its inhabitants.
—Duante Beddingfield, Detroit Free Press, 25 Oct. 2024
With a dazzling set of wings strapped on, Carla Bruni made for a devilish angel for her Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show runway debut on Tuesday in New York.
—Violet Goldstone, WWD, 16 Oct. 2024
And so, on the night that the aerial spraying began came what was, for my money, one of the greatest political PR moments in the history of that devilish art.
—Patt Morrison, Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for devilish
Recent Examples of Synonyms for devilish
Adjective
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For many years, it was renowned for being a major party destination, known for excessive drinking, the easy availability of drugs and river tubing linked to a string of fatalities.Isaac Yee, CNN, 21 Nov. 2024
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The worst part of the storm will occur Wednesday through Friday as parts of the northern California coast are at high risk of excessive rainfall, with areas receiving 10-15 inches in a 48-hour period.Chandelis Duster, NPR, 19 Nov. 2024
Adjective
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Trifonov’s concerto appearances, here and elsewhere, have courted the same comparisons to demonic possession that once trailed Liszt and Paganini.Hannah Edgar, Chicago Tribune, 20 Nov. 2024
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American movie history is full of classic horror stories involving demonic possession.Mary Carole McCauley, Baltimore Sun, 12 Nov. 2024
Adjective
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Social media users were left in stitches by a couple's attempt to capture a pregnancy announcement video on the beach—only for it to be interrupted by a mischievous golden retriever.Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 29 Nov. 2024
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The sequels crank up the festive chaos by adding a mischievous third look-alike into the mix.Janey Tracey, EW.com, 29 Nov. 2024
Adjective
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Colorado wildfires are becoming more extreme, and fire officials must seek new and better ways to prevent and fight them.The Denver Post, The Denver Post, 16 Nov. 2024
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Trump’s vituperative persona, his enmity toward multilateralism, and his extreme policy agenda could easily sink the United States’ prospects for meaningful leadership of the G-20.Leslie Vinjamuri, Foreign Affairs, 15 Nov. 2024
Adjective
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Set against the backdrop of the War of the Roses, The Dreadful follows Anne (Turner) and her sinister mother-in-law Morwen (Harden), who live a solitary, harsh life on the outskirts of society.Matt Grobar, Deadline, 22 Nov. 2024
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Specifically, Bill becomes increasingly aware of young girls being held and abused by the nuns of his convent, led by a sinister mother superior, Sister Mary (played with dark-eyed, cold-hearted terror by Emily Watson).Harrison Richlin, IndieWire, 5 Nov. 2024
Adjective
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Fitting with the film’s wicked tone, what ends up bringing Santa back to himself in Violent Night is, well, violence.Katie Rife, Vulture, 16 Nov. 2024
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There is so much of the city that has given over to the wicked history of Salem, Massachusetts, in 1692.Shannon Carlin, Rolling Stone, 31 Oct. 2024
Adjective
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Your voice is insane.Mary Colurso | mcolurso@al.com, al, 4 Apr. 2023
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But obviously winning the grand jury prize was insane.Taylor Antrim, Vogue, 31 Mar. 2023
Adjective
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Beautiful, playful, discerning, and endlessly curious, cats are wonderful companions.Simon Hill, WIRED, 23 Nov. 2024
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This is a fun, cheeky response that’s both self-assured and playful.Angela Haupt, TIME, 20 Nov. 2024
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Cite this Entry
“Devilish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/devilish. Accessed 3 Dec. 2024.
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