BEDEVIL Synonyms: 91 Similar and Opposite Words

bedevil

verb

bi-ˈde-vəl

Definition of bedevil

as in to afflict

to cause persistent suffering to a lingering cold bedeviled me for over a month

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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.

Recent Examples of bedevil Algae blooms have long bedeviled the DC landmark, though the one that broke out in the wake of the renovations appears to have reduced. — James Powel, USA Today, 28 June 2026 Waves of terrorist attacks, clashes between farmers and herders, as well as kidnappings for ransom have bedeviled Nigerian citizens in recent years, stifling economic growth and productivity in many parts of the country. — Alexander Onukwue, semafor.com, 26 June 2026 The device aims to compete with traditional game consoles like Microsoft’s Xbox and Sony’s PlayStation, which presently sell for $600 and up and are equally subject to the global component shortages that have lately bedeviled consumer electronics companies. — Andrew Nusca, Fortune, 23 June 2026 Growing tent encampments have bedeviled urban leaders for years. — CBS News, 9 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for bedevil

Recent Examples of Synonyms for bedevil

Verb

It’s typically diagnosed in adults — only about five births each year are afflicted by the condition nationwide.

— Angie Leventis Lourgos, Chicago Tribune, 22 Aug. 2026
Weiss has since learned he and his uncles weren’t uniquely afflicted.

— Lilian Raji, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of afflict

Verb

The research team identified opportunities to improve the atomic layer etching (ALE) approach, which offers significant advantages over the conventional methods but was plagued by difficulties for practical use.

— Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 27 Aug. 2026
Troubles from the start The groundbreaking attraction, which Six Flags has sunk millions of dollars into, was plagued with problems from the outset.

— Blake Ellis, CNN Money, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of plague

Verb

García Luna pledged to restore independence and public confidence in the Public Ministry and began reviewing cases involving officials, journalists, and others who alleged that they had been politically persecuted under the previous administration.

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 27 Aug. 2026
Other Eurasian emperors of the time also did not persecute occult practitioners as Ivan did in the lead-up to the second oprichnina, actions more in line with attitudes in early modern Christian Europe than those common among rulers of Asia.

— Foreign Affairs, Foreign Affairs, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of persecute

Verb

There has been a spate of Israeli settler violence in the West Bank, and the village of Qusra has been besieged by Israeli settlers for weeks.

— F. Brinley Bruton, NBC news, 29 Aug. 2026
One of them, Muammar Ibrahim, reported for Al Jazeera’s Arabic network while the city was besieged.

— Mat Nashed, Christian Science Monitor, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of besiege

Verb

Most recently, Yiannopolous has worked as a spokesperson for Ye, who has been beset by controversy of his own following antisemitic comments that the rapper has since apologized for.

— Safiyah Riddle, Los Angeles Times, 29 Aug. 2026
As told in the Devi Mahatmya, the gods are beset by the demon (asura) Mahishasura, who received a boon that he cannot be killed by a man—but he can be killed by a woman.

— Charles Preston, Encyclopedia Britannica, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of beset

Browse Nearby Words

bedecks

bedevil

bedeviled

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“Bedevil.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bedevil. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of bedevil

verb

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