BEDEVILS Synonyms: 91 Similar and Opposite Words

bedevils

verb

present tense third-person singular of bedevil

as in plagues

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 bedevils Even so, a violent curse bedevils them, a sophisticated feat of careful writing and directorial sensitivity that sets Chiarella apart from the gorehounds. — Tracy Brown, Los Angeles Times, 14 May 2026 David Walliams’ story of the Meek family and the whimsical monster that bedevils them is now a family film, thanks to Taika Waititi and director Jeffrey Walker. — Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 22 Jan. 2026 Visit our website Demographic concentration bedevils the goal of integration. — Ray Domanico, Washington Post, 9 Jan. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for bedevils

Verb

Too often, this means taxpayer dollars are fueling the very gun violence that plagues neighborhoods and communities nationwide.

— Kris Brown, Chicago Tribune, 9 Aug. 2026
Odd moment plagues fourth quarter As the Knicks held on to their fairly sizable lead, a fan ran onto the court, tried to take a selfie with Wembanyama but was quickly apprehended by security.

— Jacob Lev, CNN Money, 4 June 2026

Definition of plagues

Verb

That means protections for those who have been vaccinated will weaken and wane as the disease afflicts those who haven’t, threatening public health as a whole.

— New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 12 Aug. 2026
Advertisement Mission hijacking in the nonprofit space A similar overcrowding afflicts the pro-democracy space today.

— Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Time, 28 June 2026

Definition of afflicts

Verb

China, which jails human rights activists in Hong Kong, persecutes Uyghurs, has killed hundreds of thousands of Tibetans and has committed genocide against the Falun Gong, is on the UN Human Rights Council.

— Voice of the People, New York Daily News, 18 Feb. 2026
In Russia, the civilian repressive apparatus persecutes the military, which leaps at every chance for revenge.

— Stephen Kotkin, Foreign Affairs, 16 Dec. 2025

Definition of persecutes

Verb

After Max tortures them in a mock-trial confrontation in their living room, Tom eventually tackles Max into the backyard pool.

— Benjamin VanHoose, PEOPLE, 31 July 2026
On his latest Hyperdub release, the Japanese producer born Takahide Higuchi sings more than on previous records but tortures his voice through a gauntlet of pitch-shifter effects.

— Daniel Bromfield, Pitchfork, 27 July 2026

Definition of tortures

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bedevilments

bedevils

bedew

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“Bedevils.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bedevils. Accessed 16 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of bedevils

verb

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