devilry
/'devlri/ Cách viết khác : (deviltry) /'devltri/
Definition
Noun: 1. Reckless or malicious behavior that causes discomfort or annoyance in others: Actions characterized by mischievous, troublesome, or deliberately annoying intent. 2. Wicked and cruel behavior: Acts of extreme malice, evil, or diabolical cruelty.
Usage and Examples
- Reckless/Mischievous Behavior:
- The children were up to some devilry, hiding their teacher's chalk. (The children were engaged in mischievous behavior.)
- He blamed the broken window on the devilry of the local teenagers. (He attributed the damage to the malicious mischief of the teenagers.)
- Wicked/Cruel Behavior:
- The dictator's devilry knew no bounds. (The dictator's cruel and wicked actions were limitless.)
- The legend spoke of a sorcerer whose devilry terrorized the village. (The legend described a sorcerer whose evil magic caused terror.)
Advanced Usage and Nuances
- Often implies a sense of playful but troublesome mischief, though it can escalate to denote genuine evil.
- Can be used in a semi-humorous or exaggerated tone to describe minor, annoying pranks.
- Frequently appears in literary or formal contexts to describe supernatural evil or extreme human cruelty.
Variants and Related Words
- Deviltry (noun): An alternative spelling with the same meaning.
- Devilish (adjective): Of, like, or characteristic of a devil; wicked or mischievous.
- He had a devilish grin.
- Devilment (noun): Mischievous conduct; devilry.
- She was always getting into some sort of devilment.
Synonyms
- Mischief: Playful misbehavior or troublemaking.
- Roguery: Dishonest or unprincipled behavior; mischief.
- Wickedness: The quality of being evil or morally wrong.
- Malice: The intention or desire to do evil; ill will.
- Shenanigans: Secret or dishonest activity or maneuvering; mischief.
Idioms and Phrases
- Full of devilry: Describing a person who is very mischievous or prone to causing trouble.
- That boy is full of devilry; he's always plotting something.
- The devilry of it all: An expression emphasizing the mischievous or wicked nature of a situation.
- The devilry of it all was that no one knew who was responsible.
Noun
-
reckless or malicious behavior that causes discomfort or annoyance in others
-
wicked and cruel behavior
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