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devil

devil

755 5.3
A powerful spirit that represents evil and tempts people
  • noun
  • /ˈdɛvəl/
  • Literature
: diablo
  • People believe it was the devil.
  • devil worship
  • pact with the devil
  • deal with the devil

Break the chains that the devil wants to put around us.

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Examples

  • As a representation of the old gods, however, the devil is neither evil nor good.

    Academic text (1994)
  • In religious texts, the devil is often depicted as a tempter leading people astray.

  • This lady looks like, you know, the devil, right?

  • The father either is or has been dealing with the devil, and it's time to pay up.

    Fiction book (1990)
  • Break the chains that the devil wants to put around us.

  • You will meet the devil appearing as God.

  • It's anxiety, it's fear, it's the devil trying to get in.

  • Tell the truth and shame the devil.

  • In the garden of Eden, the closer you get to the devil, the closer you get to the truth.

  • The way he looked at me, he must think I'm the devil.

Synonyms

demon
vsdevil
  • Literature
807 5.3

A harmful spirit that people believe can enter and hurt someone

is the highest embodiment of evil rather than an ordinary harmful spirit
Satan
vsdevil
318 4.2

A main evil spirit in some religions who tempts people and rules Hell

refers more generally to the idea of ultimate evil rather than a named person
Lucifer
vsdevil
  • Literature
52 7.7

A powerful evil being who opposes God and tempts people

is the general symbol of evil rather than a specific named figure
evil spirit
vsdevil
  • Literature
50 6.8

A ghost or invisible being people believe causes harm and bad luck

is the personified chief figure representing evil rather than any unnamed harmful force
Prince of Darkness
vsdevil
  • Literature
14 8.8

A powerful evil being in some religions who rules Hell and tempts people

is the common, neutral label for the concept rather than poetic title
Beelzebub
vsdevil
  • Literature
9 9.9

A powerful evil spirit often shown as leader of demons in Jewish, Christian, and Islamic stories

is the broad symbol of evil rather than a named powerful being
daemon
vsdevil
  • Literature
9 9.9

A harmful spirit that causes trouble or fear

is the chief religious symbol of evil rather than a mischievous minor spirit
fiend
vsdevil
  • Literature
8 8.8

An evil spirit that people believe harms others in stories

indicates the single ultimate spirit of evil rather than any wicked creature
Old Nick
vsdevil
  • Archaic
2 9.9

A name for the Devil who tempts people and rules Hell

is the standard neutral term rather than a casual nickname
daimon
vsdevil
  • Literature
1 9.9

A spirit in old Greek stories that harms or tricks people

is the chief embodiment of evil in religion rather than a smaller, mixed spirit
the Tempter
vsdevil
  • Literature
1 9.9

A figure like Satan who tries to make people do wrong

focuses on general representation of evil rather than the tempting role
shaytan
vsdevil
  • Literature
1 9.9

An evil spirit that tries to make people do wrong things

is the broader religious concept used across traditions rather than a specific cultural figure

Antonyms

811 1.8

A religious being with wings believed to bring messages or help from God

130 1.0

Kind, honest, and fair behaviour in a person

Idioms

the devil
  • Informal
26 7.0

Something very difficult to do or deal with

what the Devil
  • Archaic
25 9.5

A phrase said to show surprise, confusion, or annoyance

22 4.8

A phrase said when someone you are talking about appears

Small, often overlooked parts of a plan can cause big problems

like the devil
  • Informal
8 8.2

Very quickly and with great energy

4 9.6

To take a serious risk by doing something morally wrong to gain power or money

2 7.8

A person who seems kind but is really dangerous

To admit that someone has good points even if you dislike them

You must choose between two options that are both bad

A phrase people say to tell you bad thoughts are lies

Not a single person or thing is present

Compounds

handsome devil
  • Informal
9 7.0

A man who is attractive and playfully charming and sometimes hard to trust

To pray to devils or evil spirits, often using special rituals

devil-may-care
  • Informal
6 8.1

Not caring about danger or the bad results of actions

she-devil
  • Offensive
6 8.8

A cruel woman who treats people very badly

Tasmanian devil
  • Australian
5 6.2

A small fierce animal from Tasmania that carries its young in a pouch and eats meat

A person who prays to the devil or evil spirits

poor devil
  • Informal
4 5.4

A person you feel sorry for

4 6.3

A small spinning column of air that lifts dust and leaves

devil dog
  • Slang
3 7.2

A member of the United States Marine Corps known for bravery and toughness

1 9.9

A rude name used in East Asia for someone from another country, often a Western person, showing fear or hate

1 7.4

A small ray like a manta that grows to about four feet and swims in groups

red devil
  • NSFW
1 9.9

A strong sleeping drug used to calm people or stop seizures

devil wagon
  • Slang
1 9.9

A vehicle that moves very fast in a dangerous way

devil dancing
  • Literature
1 8.8

A lively dance people do at festivals or celebrations

printer's devil
  • Archaic
1 9.9

A worker who helps in a print shop with simple tasks like mixing ink

1 8.0

A strong plant that spreads quickly and is used for lawns and pastures in warm places

go-devil
  • Archaic
1 9.9

A person who likes adventure and often takes big risks

folk devil
  • Jargon
1 8.9

A person or group unfairly blamed for social problems and seen as dangerous

A prickly plant with tall spikes of blue flowers that grows in fields

blue devil
  • Archaic
9.9

A strong sleeping medicine that makes people sleep

9.9

A plant that lives many years with large reddish orange flowers with black spots and petals that curve back

9.9

A plant with tiny hairs that sting your skin

devil tree
  • Indian
9.9

A tall tropical tree from eastern Asia and the Philippines with glossy leaves and small white flowers

A dance by Apache people performed during a religious ceremony

9.9

A plant from Europe with bright yellow flowers that grows wild and harms crops

mountain devil
  • Australian
9.9

A bushy Australian shrub with clusters of bright red flowers that attract birds

mountain devil
  • Australian
9.9

A small spiky Australian lizard that eats mainly ants

soot devil
  • Literature
9.9

An imaginary creature that makes soot messes near fireplaces

How Malicious

devil
  • Literature
755 5.3
demon
  • Literature
807 5.3
obsessor
  • Literature
9.9
poltergeist
  • Literature
15 9.7
ghost
∞ 3.0
spirit
447 4.3

Surface Forms

devil singular
devils plural

Etymology

Devil comes from the old Greek word diabolos, which meant 'slanderer' or 'accuser'; over time that idea grew into a powerful evil spirit who tempts and harms people. So a devil today is the chief spirit of evil.