Bedevilment: meaning, definitions and examples
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bedevilment
[ bɪˈdɛvəlmənt ]
state of being
Bedevilment refers to a state of being troubled or tormented, often by persistent issues or circumstances. It implies a sense of vexation or annoyance that can arise from various sources, such as problems in daily life or persistent worries. The term denotes not just simple annoyance but a more profound and ongoing distress that can affect one's emotional state.
Synonyms
aggravation, distress, torment, trouble, vexation
Examples of usage
- The bedevilment of financial troubles kept him awake at night.
- She spoke of her bedevilment with the constant delays in the project.
- His bedevilment was evident as he faced numerous challenges at work.
Translations
Translations of the word "bedevilment" in other languages:
🇵🇹 perturbação
🇮🇳 परेशान करना
🇩🇪 Plage
🇮🇩 mengganggu
🇺🇦 досад
🇵🇱 dokuczanie
🇯🇵 悩ませること
🇫🇷 tourment
🇪🇸 perturbación
🇹🇷 rahatsızlık
🇰🇷 괴롭힘
🇸🇦 إزعاج
🇨🇿 obtěžování
🇸🇰 obtěžovanie
🇨🇳 困扰
🇸🇮 motenje
🇮🇸 truflun
🇰🇿 құтқару
🇬🇪 დაწყვეტა
🇦🇿 narahatlıq
🇲🇽 perturbación
Etymology
The word 'bedevilment' originates from the combination of 'bedevil,' which itself is derived from the verb 'devil.' The term 'devil' traces back to the Old English 'deofol,' which means 'slanderer' or 'accuser,' and ultimately to the Greek word 'diabolos,' meaning 'to slander.' 'Bedevil' was formed in the early 17th century to imply being tormented or plagued by supernatural or malevolent forces, but in a more figurative sense, it evolved to encompass a range of troubles in daily life. The '-ment' suffix combines with the root to focus on the state resulting from the action, thus making 'bedevilment' refer to the ongoing state of being bedeviled. Over time, the understanding of the word has broadened from its initially supernatural connotations to capture various forms of distress and perplexity in a person's life.