Bedevil: meaning, definitions and examples
๐
bedevil
[ bษชหdษvษl ]
to cause trouble
To bedevil someone means to cause them distress or trouble, often in a troublesome or playful manner. This term is often used to describe persistent annoyance or harassment. The word conveys a sense of mischief or vexation.
Synonyms
bother, harass, torment, trouble, vex.
Examples of usage
- The loud noise from the construction site bedeviled the residents.
- He was bedeviled by doubts about his decision.
- The technical issues have bedeviled the project since its inception.
Translations
Translations of the word "bedevil" in other languages:
๐ต๐น atormentar
๐ฎ๐ณ เคชเคฐเฅเคถเคพเคจ เคเคฐเคจเคพ
๐ฉ๐ช quรคlen
๐ฎ๐ฉ menggangu
๐บ๐ฆ ะดะพะบััะฐัะธ
๐ต๐ฑ drฤczyฤ
๐ฏ๐ต ๆฉใพใใ
๐ซ๐ท tourmenter
๐ช๐ธ atormentar
๐น๐ท rahatsฤฑz etmek
๐ฐ๐ท ๊ดด๋กญํ๋ค
๐ธ๐ฆ ูุคุฐู
๐จ๐ฟ utekat
๐ธ๐ฐ trรกpiลฅ
๐จ๐ณ ๅฐๆฐ
๐ธ๐ฎ muฤiti
๐ฎ๐ธ pรญna
๐ฐ๐ฟ ะฐะทะฐะฟ ะฑะตัั
๐ฌ๐ช แแฌแฃแฎแแแก
๐ฆ๐ฟ narahat etmษk
๐ฒ๐ฝ atormentar
Etymology
The word 'bedevil' originates from the early 16th century, derived from the prefix 'be-' and the word 'devil.' The prefix 'be-' is used in a sense of 'to make or to cause,' while 'devil' refers to the chief evil spirit in various religious traditions. This compound creates an image of someone who is acting like a devil or causing devilish troubles. Over time, 'bedevil' came to refer to various forms of annoyance or trouble, reflecting the mischievous and troublesome nature associated with the term 'devil.' In literature and common usage, the word has retained this connotation of causing consistent frustration or mischief, often in a less serious and more playful context.