Word Study
bedevil
CIDE DICTIONARY
bedevil, v. t.
- To throw into utter disorder and confusion, as if by the agency of evil spirits; to bring under diabolical influence; to torment. [1913 Webster]"Bedeviled and used worse than St. Bartholomew." [1913 Webster]
- To spoil; to corrupt. Wright. [1913 Webster]
OXFORD DICTIONARY
bedevil, v.tr. (bedevilled, bedevilling; US bedeviled, bedeviling)
1 plague; afflict.
2 confound; confuse.
3 possess as if with a devil; bewitch.
4 treat with diabolical violence or abuse.
1 plague; afflict.
2 confound; confuse.
3 possess as if with a devil; bewitch.
4 treat with diabolical violence or abuse.
Derivative
bedevilment n.
THESAURUS
bedevil
aggravate, annoy, badger, bait, be at, beset, bewitch, bother, bristle, brown off, bug, bullyrag, burn up, chivy, demonize, devil, devilize, diabolize, discompose, distemper, disturb, dog, exasperate, exercise, fash, get, gripe, harass, harry, heckle, hector, hex, hoodoo, hound, irk, jinx, miff, molest, nag, needle, nettle, nudzh, obsess, overlook, peeve, persecute, pester, pick on, pique, plague, pluck the beard, possess, pother, provoke, ride, rile, roil, ruffle, tantalize, tease, torment, try the patience, tweak the nose, vex, voodoo, witch, worryROGET THESAURUS
bedevil
Derangement
VB derange, disarrange, misarrange, displace, misplace, mislay, discompose, disorder, deorganize, discombobulate, disorganize, embroil, unsettle, disturb, confuse, trouble, perturb, jumble, tumble, shuffle, randomize, huddle, muddle, toss, hustle, fumble, riot, bring into disorder, put into disorder, throw into disorder, muss, break the ranks, disconcert, convulse, break in upon, unhinge, dislocate, put out of joint, throw out of gear, turn topsy-turvy, bedevil, complicate, involve, perplex, confound, imbrangle, embrangle, tangle, entangle, ravel, tousle, towzle, dishevel, ruffle, rumple, litter, scatter, mix, rearrange.Sorcery
VB practice sorcery, cast a nativity, conjure, exorcise, charm, enchant, bewitch, bedevil, hoodoo, voodoo, entrance, mesmerize, magnetize, fascinate, taboo, wave a wand, rub the ring, rub the lamp, cast a spell, call up spirits, call up spirits from the vasty deep, raise spirits from the dead.For further exploring for "bedevil" in Webster Dictionary Online