variants
or devilling
as in tormenting
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Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deviling
Verb
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Rumor has it that Steve Spurrier could be the favorite, which would be hilarious given Spurrier's history of tormenting the Vols.—
Austin Perry OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
16 May 2026 -
But the man hung himself, most likely due to Duncan tormenting him relentlessly like a jock pranking a nerd in an ‘80s campus comedy.—
Scott Tobias,
Vulture,
12 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Saddam towered over Iraq’s political regime for nearly 30 years, plunging the country into multiple destructive wars, persecuting his own citizens and inflicting widespread trauma and suffering.—
David Faris,
TheWeek,
24 Apr. 2026
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The order also accused the Cuban government of persecuting political opponents, suppressing free speech and the press, and committing other human rights violations—actions that have been documented by human rights organizations over the years.—
Chad de Guzman,
Time,
17 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Elizabeth continues to be an infuriating character, interrupting with rude and unhelpful asides throughout the entire family meeting, casually gnawing on an orange slice as Greg and Katie have a heart-to-heart across the table.—
Erin Qualey,
Vulture,
11 May 2026
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Pastor John Mark Comer has won a massive audience by encouraging his followers to free themselves from the gnawing sense that there is always more to do, Nancy Walecki writes.—
David A. Graham,
The Atlantic,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
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But they haven’t been observed directly helping with the long security lines bedeviling passengers and their Department of Homeland Security colleagues in the Transportation Security Administration.—
Emma Hurt,
AJC.com,
24 Mar. 2026
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In a joint interview with the Chronicle, Uzelac and Executive Director Jennifer Delacroix blamed the cancellation on factors bedeviling many performing arts companies struggling to recover from the pandemic.—
Theater Critic,
San Francisco Chronicle,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Isaacman made the comments while endorsing a proposal to halve NASA's science budget, riling some astronomers.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
4 May 2026
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Some clips showed owls and ravens attacking the couple, especially riling up fans.—
Lila Seidman,
Los Angeles Times,
2 May 2026
Verb
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But its relative youth and iconic mascot have not shielded the brand from many of the same issues dogging the company’s older brands, such as Maxwell House and Philadelphia.—
Amelia Lucas,
CNBC,
13 May 2026
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Beyond the subtle nod to the Apple TV show, Carden, 46, recently talked to PEOPLE about Cola's surprising habit of raw-dogging her flights.—
Desiree Anello,
PEOPLE,
9 May 2026
Verb
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Gray said the strikeout issue has been vexing, but he was encouraged by Wednesday’s progress.—
Mac Cerullo,
Boston Herald,
14 May 2026
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Now, more and more people are making a case for appreciating those once-vexing clovers.—
Hallie Milstein,
Southern Living,
13 May 2026
Verb
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The actress, producer and book club founder took to social media to speak out about leaning in to artificial intelligence, rankling some of her followers in the process.—
Anika Reed,
USA Today,
17 Apr. 2026
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But Johnson recalled how in 2024 Newsom vetoed a bill that would have allowed undocumented people to work at public universities, rankling activists.—
Andrew Graham,
Sacbee.com,
15 Feb. 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Deviling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deviling. Accessed 21 May. 2026.
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