Devil's Advocate
idiom / noun /ˈdɛv.əlz ˈæd.və.kɪt/ — Someone who argues a position they don't hold, to test ideas
Definition
A person who argues against a cause or position not out of genuine conviction but to test the strength of the argument — to identify weaknesses through opposition. To play devil's advocate is to challenge for the sake of rigour.
Beyond the definition
Devil's advocate is one of the most useful roles in any decision — the person willing to voice the objection everyone is thinking but no one wants to say. It exists at the boundary of intellectual courage and social permission.
Origin & history
Catholic Church: the 'advocatus diaboli' (devil's advocate) was an official appointed to argue against the canonisation of a proposed saint — to find flaws in the case. The role was abolished in 1983.
Example sentences
Illustrative sentences for learning, not verified community posts or sourced quotations.
Let me play devil's advocate — what if the whole plan is wrong from the start?
She always plays devil's advocate in meetings. It makes the final decisions much stronger.
The original devil's advocate was defending rigour against premature certainty. That's a noble function.
How to use it
Follow this entry’s examples for grammatical form and sentence placement.
Choose “Devil's Advocate” when the meaning fits your context: A person who argues against a cause or position not out of genuine conviction but to test the strength of the argument — to identify weaknesses through opposition. To play devil's advocate is to challenge for the sake of rigour.
Synonyms
contrarian, challenger, questioner, counterarguer
Antonyms
yes-person, advocate, agreement
Related words
Devil's Advocate vs contrarian
A contrarian is someone who disagrees as a personality trait. Playing 'devil's advocate' is a conscious, structured exercise of arguing the opposite to sharpen a debate.
Word in the Wild
See how this word appears in life, language and stories.
Illustrative sentences and imagined stories for learning — not verified sightings, interviews, or sourced quotations.
Fictional scene
Challenging Positions Through Rhetorical Contrast
An orator gestures while holding a small fragile seedling in one palm and a heavy iron chain on the shoulder.
Playing devil's advocate involves introducing opposing elements to test an argument's strength. Much like the orator visually contrasting fragility against industrial burden, this role intentionally challenges a prevailing view to reveal its potential weaknesses and ensure the final position is robust.
Image credit: Wordspun · AI-generated conceptual illustration
Questions about this word
What does "Devil's Advocate" mean?
Devil's Advocate is idiom / noun meaning: Someone who argues a position they don't hold, to test ideas. A person who argues against a cause or position not out of genuine conviction but to test the strength of the argument — to identify weaknesses through opposition. To play devil's advocate is to challenge for the sake of rigour.
Where does the word "Devil's Advocate" come from?
Catholic Church: the 'advocatus diaboli' (devil's advocate) was an official appointed to argue against the canonisation of a proposed saint — to find flaws in the case. The role was abolished in 1983.