bedevil
verb
be·dev·il
bi-ˈde-vəl 
bē-
bedeviled; bedeviling; bedevils
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
Synonyms
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
And that exemplifies the transformation that has blessed ‒ and also bedeviled ‒ a number of Cincinnati neighborhoods.
—
The Enquirer, 17 Apr. 2024
But Senegal faces many of the same problems that have bedeviled its neighbors in West Africa — such as persistent poverty, an education deficit and a lack of jobs, particularly for young people.
—Mady Camara, New York Times, 24 Mar. 2024
Details have bedeviled the progress of negotiations since January, The Post reported, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejected a cease-fire framework in February.
—Daniel Wu, Washington Post, 4 Mar. 2024
For years, the panicked question around the Academy Awards has been the same as the one bedeviling every other pop-cultural awards show: Does anyone even care anymore?
—David Sims, The Atlantic, 18 Jan. 2024
The issue of mobilization has bedeviled Ukrainian lawmakers for months, as the needs of its military clash with political constraints.
—Christian Edwards, CNN, 11 Apr. 2024
Historical issues have bedeviled the two countries’ periods of rapprochement.
—Michelle Lee, Washington Post, 9 Apr. 2024
That’s a worthy cause on an issue that has bedeviled San Diego for generations.
—Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Mar. 2024
These tumors have bedeviled researchers for decades.
—Jason Mast, STAT, 1 Apr. 2024
The Enquirer, 17 Apr. 2024
But Senegal faces many of the same problems that have bedeviled its neighbors in West Africa — such as persistent poverty, an education deficit and a lack of jobs, particularly for young people.
—Mady Camara, New York Times, 24 Mar. 2024
Details have bedeviled the progress of negotiations since January, The Post reported, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejected a cease-fire framework in February.
—Daniel Wu, Washington Post, 4 Mar. 2024
For years, the panicked question around the Academy Awards has been the same as the one bedeviling every other pop-cultural awards show: Does anyone even care anymore?
—David Sims, The Atlantic, 18 Jan. 2024
The issue of mobilization has bedeviled Ukrainian lawmakers for months, as the needs of its military clash with political constraints.
—Christian Edwards, CNN, 11 Apr. 2024
Historical issues have bedeviled the two countries’ periods of rapprochement.
—Michelle Lee, Washington Post, 9 Apr. 2024
That’s a worthy cause on an issue that has bedeviled San Diego for generations.
—Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Mar. 2024
These tumors have bedeviled researchers for decades.
—Jason Mast, STAT, 1 Apr. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'bedevil.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near bedevil
Cite this Entry
“Bedevil.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bedevil. Accessed 2 May. 2024.
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bedevil
verb
be·dev·il
bi-ˈdev-əl
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