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
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
While the volume of orders binding Trump has been unprecedented, nationwide injunctions by individual judges in sympathetic locales have bedeviled the last two Democratic presidents as well.
—
The Editors, National Review, 19 May 2025
But in this primeval stage, nearly all of the potential Democratic candidates are discussing problems that have bedeviled their party for years: how to win back working-class voters, how aggressively to oppose President Trump and how to reach voters beyond the traditional news media.
—Lisa Lerer, New York Times, 18 May 2025
The move is part of a broader attempt to become a leader in generative AI — a field that has bedeviled Apple.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 21 May 2025
Waiting for clarity The lingering uncertainty over Trump’s policies is also bedeviling central bankers who set interest rate policy, affecting the costs on everything from mortgages to credit cards.
—Bryan Mena, CNN Money, 25 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for bedevil
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The Editors, National Review, 19 May 2025
But in this primeval stage, nearly all of the potential Democratic candidates are discussing problems that have bedeviled their party for years: how to win back working-class voters, how aggressively to oppose President Trump and how to reach voters beyond the traditional news media.
—Lisa Lerer, New York Times, 18 May 2025
The move is part of a broader attempt to become a leader in generative AI — a field that has bedeviled Apple.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 21 May 2025
Waiting for clarity The lingering uncertainty over Trump’s policies is also bedeviling central bankers who set interest rate policy, affecting the costs on everything from mortgages to credit cards.
—Bryan Mena, CNN Money, 25 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for bedevil
Cite this Entry
“Bedevil.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bedevil. Accessed 17 Jun. 2025.
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bedevil
verb
be·dev·il
bi-ˈdev-əl
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