Devilish — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

adjective /ˈde-vᵊl-ish/ dev·il·ish

Meaning & Definition of Devilish

Devilish (adjective)

  1. resembling or befitting a devil
  2. evil, sinister
  3. mischievous, roguish

Devilish (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. going beyond a normal or acceptable limit in degree or amount

    "that's a devilish amount of bad luck for any person to have to endure"

    similar: baroque, excessive, exorbitant, extravagant, extreme, fancy, immoderate, inordinate, insane, intolerable, lavish, over-the-top, overdue, overextravagant, overmuch, overweening, plethoric, steep, stiff, towering, unconscionable, undue, unmerciful, a bit much
    related: boundless, endless, immeasurable, infinite, limitless, unbearable, unjustifiable, unwarranted, improper, inappropriate, thick, unseemly, unrestrained
    opposite: middling, moderate, modest, reasonable, temperate
    near: deficient, inadequate, insufficient, minimal, minimum

  2. of, relating to, or worthy of an evil spirit

    "a devilish plan to sabotage the other party's political convention"

    similar: cacodemonic, demoniac, demonian, demonic, diabolical, fiendish, Luciferian, satanic
    related: hellish, infernal, baleful, evil, sinister, malevolent, malicious, malignant, heinous, monstrous, immoral, iniquitous, nefarious, vicious, vile, villainous, wicked, barbarous, cruel, ferocious, inhuman, savage
    opposite: angelic
    near: celestial, heavenly, beneficent, benevolent, benign, benignant, godly, holy, sainted, saintly, ethical, good, moral, righteous, virtuous

  3. tending to or exhibiting reckless playfulness

    "a devilish grin that told us he was up to something"

    similar: arch, elvish, espiègle, impish, knavish, leprechaunish, mischievous, pixie, pixieish, prankish, puckish, rascally, roguish, scampish, sly, tricksy, waggish, wicked
    related: antic, coltish, coy, frisky, frolicsome, kittenish, playful, sportful, sportive, gay, happy, lighthearted, whimsical, energetic, lively, spirited, sprightly, artful, crafty, cunning, trickish, tricky, wily, misbehaving, naughty, troublemaking, pestering, riling, teasing
    near: grave, grim, sedate, sober, solemn, staid, stern

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Devilish

The most common words with a similar meaning to Devilish:

baroque, excessive, exorbitant, extravagant, extreme, fancy, immoderate, inordinate, insane, intolerable, lavish, over-the-top, overdue, overextravagant, overmuch, overweening, plethoric, steep, stiff, towering, unconscionable, undue, unmerciful, cacodemonic, demoniac, demonian, demonic, diabolical, fiendish, Luciferian, satanic, arch, elvish, espiègle, impish, knavish, leprechaunish, mischievous, pixie, pixieish

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Devilish

Words with the opposite meaning of Devilish:

middling, moderate, modest, reasonable, temperate, angelic

Related Words for Devilish

boundless, endless, immeasurable, infinite, limitless, unbearable, unjustifiable, unwarranted, improper, inappropriate, thick, unseemly, unrestrained, hellish, infernal, baleful, evil, sinister, malevolent, malicious, malignant, heinous, monstrous, immoral, iniquitous, nefarious, vicious, vile, villainous, barbarous

Near Antonyms of Devilish

deficient, inadequate, insufficient, minimal, minimum, celestial, heavenly, beneficent, benevolent, benign, benignant, godly, holy, sainted, saintly, ethical, good, moral, righteous, virtuous, grave, grim, sedate, sober, solemn, staid, stern

Word Forms of Devilish

Derived words: devilish (adverb), devilishly (adverb), devilishness (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Devilish

Middle English develyssh, from devel devil:1 + -yssh -ish

First known use: 15th century

Words & Phrases Containing Devilish

have a devilish time

Frequently Asked Questions about Devilish

What does "Devilish" mean?

"Devilish" means resembling or befitting a devil. As an adjective, it is defined as: resembling or befitting a devil. It has 3 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Devilish"?

Other words for "Devilish" include baroque, excessive, exorbitant, extravagant, extreme, fancy, immoderate and inordinate. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Devilish" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Devilish"?

There are 113 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Devilish". Common alternatives include baroque, excessive, exorbitant, extravagant, extreme, fancy, immoderate, inordinate, insane and intolerable.

What is the opposite of "Devilish"?

Antonyms of "Devilish" include middling, moderate, modest, reasonable, temperate and angelic. Near antonyms include deficient, inadequate, insufficient and minimal.

How do you use "Devilish" in a sentence?

Examples of "Devilish" in a sentence: "that's a devilish amount of bad luck for any person to have to endure"; "a devilish plan to sabotage the other party's political convention"; "a devilish grin that told us he was up to something".

Is "Devilish" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Devilish" is an adjective.

How do you pronounce "Devilish"?

"Devilish" is pronounced /ˈde-vᵊl-ish/ and divided into syllables as dev·il·ish.

What is the origin of the word "Devilish"?

"Devilish" comes from Middle English develyssh, from devel devil:1 + -yssh -ish. First known use: 15th century.