bedevil
verb (used with object)
to torment or harass maliciously or diabolically, as with doubts, distractions, or worries.
has bedeviled
-
present perfectof bedevil (3rd person singular).present perfect
Used to describe actions that started in the past and continue into or have direct relevance to the present.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
It can seem as if Rahma has mastered a fractured, attention-driven media ecosystem that has bedeviled traditional entertainment executives.
From The Wall Street Journal ● May 12, 2026
In addressing paid family leave for teachers, the board is attempting to make progress on an issue that has bedeviled the Legislature.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 15, 2025
Racism has bedeviled this continent for centuries, but demagogues who seek power through raw resentment fail all the time.
From Slate ● Oct. 16, 2024
In the decades that followed, a lack of crucial data has bedeviled assessments and attempted studies of the Trinity test’s fallout.
From New York Times ● Jul. 20, 2023
The central bank’s policymakers are struggling with a persistently high inflation rate that has bedeviled American households and heightened the uncertainties overhanging the economy.
From Seattle Times ● Mar. 23, 2023
