Definition

Noun: A cruel, malicious, or wicked woman; a woman who behaves in a vicious or spiteful manner.

Usage

The term "she-devil" is a compound noun used as a pejorative label. It strongly emphasizes perceived evil, cruelty, or malevolence in a woman's character or actions. It is often used in hyperbolic or figurative contexts.

Examples

• In the novel, the stepmother was portrayed as a complete she-devil, making the children's lives miserable.
• After she spread those vicious rumors, everyone started calling her a she-devil behind her back.
• The boss can be a real she-devil when project deadlines are approaching.

Advanced Usage

• The term is inherently dramatic and is frequently found in fictional narratives (gothic novels, horror, drama) to describe a female antagonist.
• Its use in modern, everyday speech is often intended to be humorous or exaggerated, though it can still be deeply offensive depending on context and tone.

Variants and Related Words

• Hellcat (noun): A violently temperamental or quarrelsome woman.
• Virago (noun): A domineering, violent, or bad-tempered woman. (More formal/literary)
• Harpy (noun): A predatory, scolding, or vicious woman. (From mythology)
• Termagant (noun): A harsh-tempered or overbearing woman. (Archaic)

Synonyms

• Shrew
• Vixen
• Fury
• Witch (in the pejorative sense)

Antonyms

• Angel
• Saint
• Sweetheart

Notes on Meaning

The word compounds "she" (female) with "devil" (the embodiment of evil), creating a gendered insult that attributes extreme wickedness specifically to a woman. Its meaning is almost entirely focused on character and behavior rather than physical appearance.

Noun

1. a cruel woman