to bedevil

Examples

• All

• The haunting memories of her past would bedevil her in quiet moments of reflection.

• Why must you bedevil this poor dying woman with your childish, silly little stories?

  Pollyanna (1960)

• The cruel prank seemed designed to bedevil her, leaving her in tears.

• His constant teasing began to bedevil her, making each day at school unbearable.

Synonyms

T

to torture

vsto bedevil

• Offensive

582 5.7

To cause someone to feel severe physical or emotional pain, often on purpose

is continual cruel treatment rather than primarily violent single acts

T

to torment

vsto bedevil

• NSFW

107 7.2

To cause someone to feel great physical or mental pain

is ongoing cruel treatment rather than a single extreme act

C

to crucify

vsto bedevil

• NSFW

32 8.0

To criticize someone or something very harshly, often in public

is repeated cruel torment rather than mainly public harsh treatment

H

to harrow

vsto bedevil

1 7.7

To cause someone deep emotional pain and worry

is persistent cruelty rather than mainly deep emotional hurt

R

to rag

vsto bedevil

• Informal

1 7.2

To tease someone repeatedly, either playfully or cruelly

is sustained cruel treatment rather than occasional or playful teasing

Antonyms

S

to support

∞ 1.0

Give help to a person or idea

How Troubling

to torment

• NSFW

107 7.2

to persecute

98 7.0

to bedevil

1 8.2

to harass

302 4.0

to pester

34 3.2

to annoy

246 1.0

Surface Forms

Morphology

Etymology