bedevilment
Relentless vexing trouble
Bedevilment is the state of being plagued, tormented, or persistently troubled by problems or difficulties.
It suggests ongoing harassment or confusion rather than a single incident of trouble.
The bedevilment of the project by technical failures led to its eventual cancellation.
The word carries a slightly literary or old-fashioned tone, implying that troubles seem almost supernaturally persistent, as if caused by devils.
Playful trick on someone
- trickeryDeliberate deception or fraud
- impishnessPlayful mischievous quality
- shenanigansMischievous or deceitful behavior
- tomfooleryFoolish or silly behavior
roguery · mischievousness · naughtiness · antics · jape · playfulness · monkeyshines · puckishness
Extreme physical or emotional pain
- anguishIntense mental suffering
- sufferingSustained experience of distress
- tortureDeliberate infliction of suffering
- persecutionSystematic mistreatment of groups
affliction · oppression · misery · distress · woe · ordeal · tribulation · harassment
State of being baffled
- perplexityMental state of confusion
- bafflementMental state of confusion
- befuddlementState of utter confusion
- disorientationLoss of spatial awareness
confounding · muddling · flummoxing · mystification · puzzlement · discombobulation · obfuscation · addling
Malevolent incantation
- jinxCurse bringing misfortune
- maledictionVerbal invocation of harm
- baneCause of destruction
- evil eyeHarm-dealing gaze, supposedly
enchantment · spell · bewitchment · possession · demonism · sorcery · black magic · evil spirits
prank
Playful trick on someone
- trickeryDeliberate deception or fraud
- impishnessPlayful mischievous quality
- shenanigansMischievous or deceitful behavior
tomfoolery · roguery · mischievousness · naughtiness · antics · jape · playfulness · monkeyshines · puckishness · rascality
agony
Extreme physical or emotional pain
- anguishIntense mental suffering
- sufferingSustained experience of distress
- tortureDeliberate infliction of suffering
persecution · affliction · oppression · misery · distress · woe · ordeal · tribulation · harassment · hounding
bewilderment
State of being baffled
- perplexityMental state of confusion
- bafflementMental state of confusion
- befuddlementState of utter confusion
disorientation · confounding · muddling · flummoxing · mystification · puzzlement · discombobulation · obfuscation · addling · unsettling
hex
Malevolent incantation
- jinxCurse bringing misfortune
- maledictionVerbal invocation of harm
- baneCause of destruction
evil eye · enchantment · spell · bewitchment · possession · demonism · sorcery · black magic · evil spirits · haunting
pestering
Persistent unwanted attention
- badgeringPersistent harassment or nagging
- houndingPersistently pursuing or pressuring
- naggingPersistent bothering or complaining
plaguing · bothering · hassling · dogging · harrying · taunting · heckling · besieging · baiting · goading
bedevilmentpeace
Freedom from disturbance
calm · tranquility · serenity · equanimity · repose
bedevilmentassistance
Support or aid given
aid · succor · blessing · protection · relief
devil, devilish, devils, devilry, bedevil, deviled, deviling, deviltry, bedeviled