bedevil

1 of 2

verb

be·​dev·​il bi-ˈde-vəl 

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

bi-ˈde-vəl-mənt 

bē-

noun

bedevilment

2 of 2

noun

be·​dev·​il·​ment bi-ˈde-vəl-mənt 

bē-

plural -s

1

: a situation or condition that bedevils : confusion, disorder, vexation, trouble

2

: possession by a devil

mad conduct and other signs of bedevilment

Synonyms of bedevil

Verb

• afflict
• plague
• persecute
• besiege
• beset

Examples of bedevil in a Sentence

Verb

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

Verb

Experts say those dynamics are likely to bedevil the government’s ambitious plans for a march on Sanaa. — Nabih Bulos, Los Angeles Times, 5 Oct. 2026

Injuries continue to bedevil Brown, who permitted both passes against him to be caught (for 14 yards) in his limited work against Clemson. — Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 5 Oct. 2026

Recent escalations in the war in Iran, including an attack on a major pipeline in Saudi Arabia, mean the rising gas prices bedeviling Republicans will not be going down anytime soon. — Dan Merica, Washington Post, 18 Sep. 2026

In each of the show’s 11 episodes, Jones arrives at a California rental bedeviled by bad reviews and delivers constructive criticism with the candor of a stand-up comedian. — The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Verb

1574, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for bedevil

• daredevil
• sublevel
• bevel
• devil
• level
• multilevel

Kids Definition

bedevil

verb

be·​dev·​il bi-ˈdev-əl 

: to trouble or annoy again and again : pester, harass

bedeviled by problems

bedevilment

-mənt 

noun