deviltry

[ dev-uhl-tree ]

noun

, plural dev·il·tries.

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.

Word History and Origins

Origin of deviltry¹

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

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

Adapted by McQueen and novelist Gillian Flynn from a British television series, “Widows” faithfully obeys the most visceral beats of a classic caper flick, with none of the genre’s playfulness or light-footed deviltry.

From Washington Post

“It is a marvelously small ear, and at the top it is shaped and carved after the fashion in which old sculptors indicated deviltry and vice in their statues of satyrs.”

From Literature

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 Literature