Skip to main content
to devil

to devil

1 8.3
To annoy someone again and again with small problems
  • verb
  • /ˈdɛvəl/
  • UK
: molestar
  • The constant noise from the construction site devils the residents, making it hard for them to concentrate.

Examples

  • His habit of leaving dishes in the sink really devils his roommate.

  • She didn't mean to devil him, but her endless questions about his plans became annoying.

  • You devil.

Synonyms

to bother
vsto devil
∞ 1.0

To annoy or disturb someone

refers to repeated minor annoyances rather than single disturbances or worries
to bother me
vsto devil
399 2.0

To disturb or interrupt someone and make them feel annoyed

refers to ongoing small annoyances instead of a single brief interruption
to bug
vsto devil
  • Informal
229 3.7

To annoy someone by bothering them repeatedly

is the general expression for ongoing small annoyances rather than single incidents
to get to
vsto devil
  • Informal
222 6.3

Annoy or upset someone gradually

focuses on persistent annoyance rather than quick or accidental bother
to annoy
vsto devil
144 1.0

Make someone slightly angry or bothered by small repeated actions

is about ongoing minor disturbances rather than strong or serious provocation
to hound
vsto devil
61 6.1

To follow and bother someone without stopping

is about small persistent irritations rather than aggressive relentless harassment
to hassle
vsto devil
58 4.4

To bother someone again and again

focuses on small persistent irritations rather than broader operational problems
to irritate
vsto devil
57 2.9

Make someone feel annoyed or impatient, often by repeated small actions

emphasizes ongoing actions that disturb rather than focusing on inner feelings
to get at
vsto devil
  • Informal
52 7.1

To annoy someone with small repeated actions

describes ongoing minor annoyances rather than brief single irritations
to pester
vsto devil
32 3.2

To annoy someone by asking for things again and again

is about persistent minor annoyances generally, not limited to requests
to beleaguer
vsto devil
25 8.6

To trouble or annoy someone again and again

focuses on small persistent irritations rather than heavy ongoing siege-like attacks
to rile
vsto devil
22 6.9

Make someone annoyed, often by small things

describes ongoing persistent annoyance rather than only momentary irritation
to vex
vsto devil
13 7.0

To annoy someone by small, repeated actions

means milder repeated annoyance rather than causing deeper upset or distress
to bedevil
vsto devil
7 8.2

Cause ongoing trouble and confusion for people or things

means ongoing small annoyances rather than deep confusing or damaging troubles
to peck
vsto devil
5 8.0

To annoy someone with small, repeated complaints

is general persistent annoyance not limited to criticism or petty complaints
to harry
vsto devil
5 7.6

To bother someone again and again so they feel upset or tired

focuses on minor repeated annoyances rather than sustained aggressive harassment
to nettle
vsto devil
1 6.8

To annoy or upset someone in a way that feels sharp

is more about steady minor irritation rather than sharp provoking stings
pestering
vsto devil
1 3.2

A person who annoys another person by asking again and again

involves ongoing irritation but can include brief or occasional annoyances too
to devilled
vsto devil
  • Archaic
1 7.4

To cause someone long worry or pain

is the base present form used for ongoing or general annoyance
pestered
vsto devil
1 5.1

Annoyed by repeated small questions and interruptions

is the present action that causes ongoing annoyance rather than the affected state
to gravel
vsto devil
  • Archaic
1 9.9

To annoy or puzzle someone

is purely about repeated small annoyances rather than puzzling or confusing effects

Antonyms

372 1.0

To make someone happy or satisfied

172 1.0

To make someone feel less upset or in pain

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 Annoying

to torment
  • NSFW
83 7.2
to harass
256 4.0
to devil
  • UK
1 8.3
to irritate
57 2.9
to annoy
144 1.0
to bother
∞ 1.0

Surface Forms

devil infinitive
deviled past
deviled past participle
deviling present participle
devils third person singular

Etymology

Devil as a verb comes from the idea of being tormented or troubled, so to devil someone is to trouble or annoy them again and again. So if something devils you, it keeps bothering you.