What does bedevilling mean?
"Bedevilling" is the present participle and gerund of the verb "bedevil", meaning to torment, plague, or cause persistent trouble for someone or something. It can also mean to confuse or bewilder. The word literally contains "devil", reflecting its origin in the idea of playing the devil with someone — subjecting them to mischief or harassment as if by demonic agency. In modern usage it appears most often in journalism and formal writing to describe chronic difficulties: a company might be described as bedevilled by lawsuits, or a negotiator as bedevilled by conflicting demands. The verb frequently takes the passive form, as in "the project has been bedevilled by delays". Connotations are negative but not violent; it suggests nagging, recurring affliction rather than acute attack. British English spells the word with a double 'l' (bedevilling), while American English uses one (bedeviling). Related forms include "bedevil" and "bedevilment".
verb (present participle and gerund)The act of persistently tormenting, plaguing, or causing serious trouble for someone or something; also, the act of confusing or bewildering. It is the present participle and gerund form of the verb "bedevil".
- To torment, harass, or plague persistently (the dominant sense)
- To confuse, bewilder, or throw into disorder
"Supply-chain disruptions have been bedevilling manufacturers for months."
"Rumours of infighting continued to bedevilling the campaign well into the autumn."
"A series of cryptic clues left the detectives thoroughly bedevilled."
To bedevil someone literally invokes the devil — this word's history means 'to play the devil with', which is why it carries such a whiff of mischief.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of bedevilling
"Bedevilling" derives from the verb "bedevil", formed in English from the prefix "be-" plus "devil". It arose around the 17th century with the sense of playing the devil with something — harassing or confusing it. The word "devil" itself traces back through Old English "dēofol" to Latin "diabolus", borrowed from Greek "diabolos", meaning slanderer or accuser, from "diaballein", to throw across. This Greek root also gives us "diabolical" and related terms.
Related word forms
How bedevilling is actually used
Register is neutral-to-formal; common in journalism when describing chronic problems that resist solution. British spelling doubles the 'l' (bedevilling), while American English typically uses a single 'l' (bedeviling). The verb often appears in passive constructions such as 'plagued' or 'haunted' would.
Easily confused with bedevilling
"Devil" is the noun meaning an evil spirit or wicked person, whereas "bedevilling" is a verb form meaning to plague or torment persistently.
"Devilled" describes food prepared with spicy seasoning (as in devilled eggs), while "bedevilling" means to harass or plague.