: the most powerful spirit of evil in Christianity, Judaism, and Islam who is often represented as the ruler of hell
informal
1
—used to make a statement or question more forceful
What the devil are you talking about?
Where the devil have you been?
2
: something that is very difficult or that causes a lot of trouble
The shoes look great, but they're the devil to walk in.
Examples of the Devil in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
James Wood, The New Yorker, 5 Aug. 2024
Instead of fearing this feeling and running from it, use this month as a great opportunity to face your inner demons head-on as the Devil card arrives.
—Meghan Rose, Glamour, 1 Aug. 2024
Today there are about 4,000 rainbows inhabiting the Upper Arroyo Seco, a portion of the waterway upstream of the Devil’s Gate Dam near the 210 Freeway, according to a recent survey by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.
—Lila Seidman, Los Angeles Times, 31 July 2024
The car ultimately stopped on an embankment south of the Tom Lantos Tunnels, near what's known as the Devil's Slide.
—Jason Brow, Peoplemag, 30 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for the Devil 
Noun
What if Jesus had become the first Faust, by succumbing to the Devil’s successful temptation?
—James Wood, The New Yorker, 5 Aug. 2024
Instead of fearing this feeling and running from it, use this month as a great opportunity to face your inner demons head-on as the Devil card arrives.
—Meghan Rose, Glamour, 1 Aug. 2024
Today there are about 4,000 rainbows inhabiting the Upper Arroyo Seco, a portion of the waterway upstream of the Devil’s Gate Dam near the 210 Freeway, according to a recent survey by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.
—Lila Seidman, Los Angeles Times, 31 July 2024
The car ultimately stopped on an embankment south of the Tom Lantos Tunnels, near what's known as the Devil's Slide.
—Jason Brow, Peoplemag, 30 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for the Devil
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'the Devil.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near the Devil
Cite this Entry
“The Devil.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/the%20Devil. Accessed 20 Aug. 2024.
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