deviltry

[ dev-uhl-tree ]
See synonyms for deviltry on Thesaurus.com
noun,plural dev·il·tries.
  1. reckless or unrestrained mischievous behavior.

  2. extreme or utter wickedness.

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

  2. diabolic magic or art.

Origin of deviltry

1
First recorded in 1780–90; variant of devilry

Words Nearby deviltry

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use deviltry in a sentence

  • She had looked so small and young; and who could know what deviltry lurked abroad that night?

    The Amazing Interlude | Mary Roberts Rinehart
  • Having permitted her to influence him so far, out of pure deviltry, he seemed determined to make her regret it.

    The Woman Gives | Owen Johnson
  • He characterized both the meta or medicine dances and the wabeno dances by a term which may be translated deviltry.

    The Indian in his Wigwam | Henry R. Schoolcraft
  • She left shortly after you went, and she means some deviltry.

    Riders of the Silences | John Frederick
  • What of decency or what of deviltry lay behind the mask that Renwick had seen?

    The Secret Witness | George Gibbs