deviltry

American  

[dev-uhl-tree] / ˈdɛv əl tri /

noun

plural

deviltries

1. reckless or unrestrained mischievous behavior.

2. extreme or utter wickedness.

3. an act or instance of mischievous or wicked behavior.

4. diabolic magic or art.

5. demonology.

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Etymology

Origin of deviltry

First recorded in 1780–90; variant of devilry

Example Sentences

The mildly disastrous consequences of Eddie’s deviltry predictably set up the big moment at the end of the show in which Ward or June Cleaver would distill an important Life Lesson from the experience.

From Washington Post • May 18, 2020

Why does Dirk — clearly an evil mastermind on the rise — care so much about his wishy-washy, rather inept partner in deviltry?

From Washington Post • Jun. 4, 2019

What’s not to love about the team that used to be an emblem of deviltry and dysfunction?

From New York Times • Dec. 2, 2016

It was another bit of deviltry cooked up by education majors.

From Slate • Oct. 3, 2012

The last I saw of him, he lay on his left side, an amulet in his hand to guard against deviltry on his last, long journey.

From "The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Traitor to the Nation, Volume II: The Kingdom on the Waves" by M.T. Anderson