devilry

/'devlri/ Cách viết khác : (deviltry) /'devltri/

Thân thiện

The children blamed the spilled paint on the devilry of the family cat.

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.

Học thuật

Noun

1. reckless or malicious behavior that causes discomfort or annoyance in others
2. wicked and cruel behavior

Từ đồng nghĩa

• deviltry