deviltry

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

Thân thiện

A mischievous child's deviltry involved hiding his sister's favorite toy.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • Reckless or malicious behavior that causes discomfort or annoyance in others: "Deviltry" refers to actions that are mischievous, reckless, or deliberately harmful, often causing trouble or irritation.
   • Wicked and cruel behavior: It can also denote behavior that is evil, cruel, or fiendishly wicked in nature.

Usage

• "Deviltry" is a formal and somewhat literary noun, often used to describe behavior that is not just naughty but has a malicious, evil, or dangerously reckless quality. It is typically used in contexts involving trickery, cruelty, or extreme mischief.

Examples

• The constant pranks and vandalism were seen as more than just mischief; they were acts of pure deviltry.
• The legend spoke of a sorcerer whose deviltry terrorized the village for generations.
• He was accused of financial deviltry for his role in the elaborate scam.

Advanced Usage

• "Sheer deviltry": Used to emphasize the purely wicked or malicious nature of an act.
  • Breaking the antique vase seemed an act of sheer deviltry.
• Often appears in historical, gothic, or fantastical contexts describing supernatural evil or human cruelty.

Variants and Related Words

• Devilry (noun): An alternative spelling with the same meaning.
• Devilish (adj): Having the qualities of a devil; wicked or mischievous.
  • He had a devilish grin.
• Devilment (noun): Mischievous conduct; playful malice.
  • The children were full of devilment.

Synonyms

• Mischief: Playful misbehavior or troublemaking.
• Wickedness: The quality of being evil or morally wrong.
• Roguery: Dishonest or unprincipled behavior; playful mischief.
• Maleficence: The act of committing harm or evil.
• Diablerie (noun): Sorcery or devilry; reckless mischief.

Antonyms

• Benevolence: The quality of being well-meaning; kindness.
• Virtue: Behavior showing high moral standards.
• Obedience: Compliance with rules or commands.

Idioms and Phrases

• "Up to deviltry": Engaged in wicked or mischievous acts.
  • When the house is quiet, you can be sure the children are up to some deviltry.
• "The deviltry of it": Used to comment on the wicked or astonishing nature of something.
  • The deviltry of it was that he escaped without a trace.

Học thuật

Noun

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

Từ đồng nghĩa

• devilry