bedevil
pronunciation
How to pronounce bedevil in British English:
UK [bɪˈdevl]
How to pronounce bedevil in American English:
US [bɪˈdɛvəl]
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- Verb:
- treat cruelly
- be confusing or perplexing to; cause to be unable to think clearly
Word Origin
- bedevil (v.)
- 1768, "to treat diabolically, abuse," from be- + verbal use of devil (q.v.). Meaning "to mischievously confuse" is from 1755; that of "to drive frantic" is from 1823. Related: Bedeviled (1570s, in a literal sense, "possessed"); bedeviling.
Example
- 1. The imbalances that bedevil the g20 are adjustment pains .
- 2. Two technical problems bedevil the kp track .
- 3. Keeping those promises will soon start to bedevil the administration .
- 4. During 2011 , zero-sum logic will bedevil international relations .
- 5. I have observed certain recurring weaknesses that bedevil many would-be entrepreneurs .