Bedeviled is a term that is often used to describe a situation or a person that is plagued with difficulty, trouble, or misfortune. The word bedeviled is commonly used in everyday language, but not everyone knows its exact meaning and origin. In this article, we will explore the definition, origin, meaning in different dictionaries, associations, synonyms, antonyms, and example sentences of the word bedeviled.
Definitions
Bedeviled is an adjective that refers to a person or situation that is plagued with difficulty, trouble, or misfortune. It can also mean to be tormented or harassed by evil spirits or demons. In some contexts, bedeviled can mean to be confused or perplexed by a situation or problem.
Origin
The word bedeviled comes from the Old English word “bēdēofian,” which means to torment or harass by evil spirits. The word “bedevil” was first used in the 16th century, and it was originally used to describe a situation where a person was tormented by demons or evil spirits.
Meaning in different dictionaries
The meaning of bedeviled in different dictionaries is quite similar. According to Merriam-Webster, bedeviled means “to torment or harass by or as if by a devil.” The Oxford English Dictionary defines bedeviled as “to trouble, harass, or torment.” The Cambridge English Dictionary defines bedeviled as “to cause a lot of trouble or difficulties for someone or something.”
Associations
Bedeviled is often associated with negative situations or problems that are difficult to solve. It can be associated with feelings of frustration, confusion, and despair. Bedeviled is also associated with supernatural or paranormal phenomena, such as demonic possession or haunting.
Synonyms
Some synonyms of bedeviled include plagued, tormented, harassed, troubled, vexed, and beleaguered. These words are often used interchangeably with bedeviled to describe a situation or person that is experiencing difficulty or misfortune.
Antonyms
Antonyms of bedeviled include blessed, fortunate, lucky, successful, and prosperous. These words are used to describe situations or people that are experiencing positive outcomes or good fortune.
The same root words
The same root words as bedeviled include devil, devilish, and devilry. These words are associated with the supernatural or paranormal, and they are often used to describe situations or people that are experiencing negative outcomes or misfortune.
Example Sentences
- The company was bedeviled by financial problems for years.
- The town was bedeviled by a series of mysterious disappearances.
- The athlete was bedeviled by injuries throughout his career.
- The family was bedeviled by a poltergeist that haunted their home.
- The politician was bedeviled by scandal after scandal.
In conclusion, bedeviled is a word that is often used to describe negative situations or people that are experiencing difficulty or misfortune. It has its roots in Old English and is associated with supernatural or paranormal phenomena. While it has negative connotations, it is a useful word for describing challenging situations that people and organizations face.