devil 1 of 2

1
as in Satan
capitalized the supreme personification of evil often represented as the ruler of hell the Devil is traditionally seen as a being who relentlessly tempts people to commit evil

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
2
3
4
5
6
as in cowboy
a person who seeks out very dangerous or foolhardy adventures with no apparent fear originally snowboarders were regarded as devils on the slopes and a menace to skiers

Synonyms & Similar Words

devil

2 of 2

verb

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of devil
Noun
On her journey, Gerda makes friends with people, birds, beasts, and a kind witch, unaware that a hostile, unseen enemy – the Snow Queen and her devil apprentice, Louie – is watching her. Leo Barraclough, Variety, 7 May 2025 Image An earnest aspiring journalist (Anne Hathaway) takes the assistant job from hell at an iconic fashion magazine; the very chic devil is played by a terrifying, ice-blonde Meryl Streep. Leah Greenblatt, New York Times, 2 May 2025
Verb
It’s also designed to better accommodate female astronauts, a problem that has deviled the space agency in the past. Tim Fernholz, Quartz, 16 Mar. 2023 Highlights include a variety of cheese, smoked salmon, prosciutto, deviled egg salad, biscuits, bagels and baguettes and cinnamon rolls. Los Angeles Times, 4 May 2020 See All Example Sentences for devil
Recent Examples of Synonyms for devil
Noun
  • The opening moments cement its tonal dissonance as, with a twang of Daniel Kowalski’s spare, uneasy score, a brief prologue with fire, a flailing figure and mutterings about Satan snaps to a far more banal view of an empty street lined with dim, shuttered houses under a low, gray sky.
    Jessica Kiang, Variety, 30 May 2025
  • Also in the family name is Mistress Isabelle Brooks, Drag Race’s sequined Satan with a smile.
    Chris Feil, Vulture, 23 May 2025
Noun
  • Together, the two men battle the forces of evil, each other, and their own demons on the path to salvation.
    Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 27 May 2025
  • Other days, some of the old demons on the forehand and the serve resurface.
    Corey Seymour, Vogue, 23 May 2025
Noun
  • As Rusby talks of finding god and becoming a better man, Kev screws a silencer onto his pistol.
    Matt Cabral, EW.com, 26 May 2025
  • Ellen von Unwerth mans the camera at the amfAR Gala in France on May 22.
    Grace Harrington, People.com, 25 May 2025
Noun
  • Both Judy and the monkey lost their mothers at young ages, except Dr. Watson copes by caring for people while Judy pushes them away.
    Carole Horst, Variety, 1 June 2025
  • High-profile cases in recent years include a monkey torture ring originating in Indonesia which was exposed and dismantled in 2023.
    Rebecca Wright, CNN Money, 30 May 2025
Noun
  • Perhaps this is why it was never required viewing in my household; there was no darker notion than our hero potentially being a villain.
    Tyler Foggatt, New Yorker, 24 May 2025
  • But the new villain is smarter than the IMF assumed, and the mission has disastrous results.
    Keith Langston, People.com, 24 May 2025
Noun
  • Opposites attract in this story of a spoiled pop princess and a cowboy.
    Lorraine Berry, Los Angeles Times, 27 May 2025
  • The series will highlight the tense showdowns between lawmen and outlaws, the rise of cowboys and ranchers, the strength of pioneer women and the drive of abolitionists and fortune seekers who helped shape the American frontier.
    Charna Flam, People.com, 25 May 2025
Verb
  • Now the team does as well. Tipoff Wednesday night marked the halfway point for the Knicks’ quest to cleanse Madison Square Garden of the curse that has tormented it for five decades.
    Kyle Wagner, New York Daily News, 23 May 2025
  • Sirens is smartest when paralleling the entitlement of 21st century American wealth with Ancient Greek divinity, skewering the insularity and entitlement of these modern plutocrats who throw galas to honor themselves and to torment or seduce the mortals who are their employees and playthings.
    Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 22 May 2025
Noun
  • The 10-episode Exiles comes from a new creative team, with Jason Ning (Lucifer) as showrunner.
    Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 21 May 2025
  • Production on the spinoff is set to begin this summer in Los Angeles, with Jason Ning (Lucifer, Mrs. Davis) tapped to serve as showrunner.
    Ryan Schwartz, TVLine, 19 May 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Devil.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/devil. Accessed 6 Jun. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on devil

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!