What does bedeviling mean?
'Bedeviling' is the present participle and gerund of the verb 'bedevil,' meaning to torment, harass, or persistently trouble someone or something, or to confuse and bewilder. The word literally evokes harassment by a devil, drawing on 'devil,' which traces back through Middle English to Old English 'dēofol.' In modern usage it often describes ongoing difficulties rather than one-off setbacks: economists may be 'bedeviled' by inflation, engineers by design flaws, or a politician by scandal. It appears frequently in journalism, academic writing, and formal prose, where it lends vividness to discussions of chronic problems. The American spelling uses a single 'l' ('bedeviling'), while British English generally doubles the letter ('bedevilling'). Because it conveys sustained vexation, 'bedeviling' is a precise and expressive choice for describing troubles that refuse to go away.
Present participle of 'bedevil': to torment, harass, or persistently trouble someone or something.
"The same technical glitches have been bedeviling users since the update launched."
Often used to describe chronic or recurring problems in formal writing.
Gerund of 'bedevil': the act of plaguing or bewildering, used as a noun.
"The constant bedeviling of new employees drove several to quit."
When you're 'bedeviled' by a problem, you are literally being harassed by a devil — the word's roots go straight back to Old English 'dēofol'.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of bedeviling
'Bedeviling' derives from 'bedevil,' formed in English from the prefix 'be-' plus 'devil.' The noun 'devil' comes from Middle English 'devel,' from Old English 'dēofol,' borrowed from Latin 'diabolus,' itself from Greek 'diabolos' meaning 'slanderer.' The verb 'bedevil' arose in English around the late 18th century, originally suggesting torment by evil spirits before broadening to mean any persistent troubling or confusing. Related words sharing this root include 'devilish' and 'devilry.'
Related word forms
How bedeviling is actually used
'Bedeviling' carries a negative connotation of persistent, nagging trouble rather than sudden catastrophe. It is common in journalistic and formal writing, especially when discussing recurring problems ('a question that has bedeviled economists for years'). The American single-'l' spelling contrasts with the British double-'l' form.
Easily confused with bedeviling
American English spells the word 'bedeviling' with a single 'l', while British English typically uses 'bedevilling'; they are spelling variants of the same word, not different words.
'Deviling' means acting mischievously like a devil or cooking something deviled, whereas 'bedeviling' specifically means tormenting or confusing.