devil's advocate

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noun

a person who advocates an opposing or unpopular cause for the sake of argument or to expose it to a thorough examination.

Also called promoter of the faith. Roman Catholic Church. an official appointed to present arguments against a proposed beatification or canonization of a beatus.

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Origin of devil's advocate

1750–60; translation of New Latin advocātus diabolī

Words nearby devil's advocate

devilkin, devil-may-care, devilment, devil of a, devilry, devil's advocate, devil's-bit, devil's club, devil's coach-horse, devil's darning needle, devil's dung

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use devil's advocate in a sentence

“A guy drives up in a 2008 Mercedes, brand new,” Harry S. Connelly Jr. says in the video, according to the Times.
Are Police Stealing People’s Property?|Joan Blades, Matt Kibbe|January 2, 2015|DAILY BEAST
“Personal hotspots can get speeds of up to 60 Mb/s down, whereas hotel Wi-Fi can be as slow as 1.5 Mb/s,” Sesar said.
How ‘Ethical’ Hotel Chain Marriott Gouges Guests in the Name of Wi-Fi Security|Kyle Chayka|December 31, 2014|DAILY BEAST
I am fighting that quota because I am an advocate of competition.
Propaganda, Protest, and Poisonous Vipers: The Cinema War in Korea|Rich Goldstein|December 30, 2014|DAILY BEAST
As a well-known advocate for Baluch rights in Iran, young Iranians reach out to him for advice.
The Dangerous Drug-Funded Secret War Between Iran and Pakistan|Umar Farooq|December 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST

In our headlong quest for a legally perfect society, we don’t take the time to take stock of what‘s been created so far.
Red Tape Is Strangling Good Samaritans|Philip K. Howard|December 27, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Thus was the man left entirely to the devil, not even his life being reserved, as in the case of Job.
Solomon and Solomonic Literature|Moncure Daniel Conway
He desired his secretary to go to the devil, but, thinking better of it, he recalled him as he reached the door.
St. Martin's Summer|Rafael Sabatini
I cannot believe that a good God would create or tolerate a Devil, nor that he would allow the Devil to tempt man.
God and my Neighbour|Robert Blatchford
Ajoutez cecy, s'il vous plaist, la grande difficult qu'il y a de tirer d'eux les mots mesmes qu'ils ont.
The Jesuit Relations and Allied Documents, Vol. II: Acadia, 1612-1614|Various
As the devil never wanted insinuators, I shall observe, that I learned a way how to make a man dream of what I pleased.
The Life and Most Surprising Adventures of Robinson Crusoe, of York, Mariner (1801)|Daniel Defoe

British Dictionary definitions for devil's advocate

devil's advocate

noun

a person who advocates an opposing or unpopular view, often for the sake of argument

RC Church the official appointed to put the case against the beatification or canonization of a candidateTechnical name: promotor fidei (prəʊˈməʊtɔː fɪˈdeɪiː)

Word Origin for devil's advocate

translation of New Latin advocātus diabolī

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Idioms and Phrases with devil's advocate

devil's advocate

One who argues against a cause or position either for the sake of argument or to help determine its validity. For example, My role in the campaign is to play devil's advocate to each new policy before it's introduced to the public. This term comes from the Roman Catholic Church, where advocatus diaboli (Latin for “devil's advocate”) signifies an official who is appointed to present arguments against a proposed canonization or beatification. It was transferred to wider use in the mid-1700s.

devil's advocate

Origin of devil's advocate

Words nearby devil's advocate

Words related to devil's advocate

How to use devil's advocate in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for devil's advocate

Word Origin for devil's advocate

Other Idioms and Phrases with devil's advocate