noun

devil's advocate

DEV-ulz AD-vuh-kut

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Devil's advocate (noun) means someone who argues a position they do not personally hold, in order to test an argument or provoke fuller discussion. Example: “Let me play devil's advocate for a moment: what happens if nobody signs up?”

noun

Someone who argues a position they do not personally hold, in order to test an argument or provoke fuller discussion.

"Let me play devil's advocate for a moment: what happens if nobody signs up?"

"Every good editorial meeting needs one devil's advocate."

"Let me play devil's advocate for a moment — what if the launch date slips?"

"He is not being cruel, he is just being a devil's advocate about the whole plan."

formal In the Roman Catholic Church, the official formerly appointed to argue against the canonisation of a candidate for sainthood by setting out evidence of their faults.

"The devil's advocate combed the record for evidence that the miracles were unproven."

"The devil's advocate was required to scrutinise every claimed miracle."

How to use devil's advocate

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA devil's advocate argues the opposite side on purpose, just to test whether an idea holds up.

When to use it

Almost always used with play: to play devil's advocate. Announcing it beforehand signals that the objection is a stress test, not a real opinion — which is also why it can irritate people who suspect it is a cover for a real one.

Memory tip

Say play devil's advocate, not do or make devil's advocate. The article is often dropped: I'll play devil's advocate.

Trace the full origin ↓

Easily confused with

contrarian → troll → dissenter →

Common pairings

play devil's advocate playing devil's advocate here just being a devil's advocate

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C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

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Let me play _____ for a moment: what happens if nobody signs up?

Etymology

A translation of Latin advocatus diaboli, the informal name for the official appointed in Roman Catholic canonisation proceedings to argue against a candidate's sainthood.

Origin: Latin

Synonyms

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contrarian dissenting voice doubter

Antonyms

yes-man cheerleader

Related words

cheerleader cheerleading contrarian doubter questioner sycophant sceptic agnostic

Rhymes for devil's advocate

ate date rate mate abate slate plate state create update locate emirate

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Frequently asked questions

What does it mean to play devil's advocate?

It means putting the opposing case on purpose, whether or not you believe it, so that an idea gets properly stress-tested. Saying so out loud matters: it signals you are probing the argument, not stating your own view.

What is the difference between a devil's advocate and a contrarian?

A devil's advocate argues against a position temporarily and deliberately, to test it, and would usually say so out loud. A contrarian genuinely and habitually takes the opposing view whatever the subject. One is a technique; the other is a disposition.

Is playing devil's advocate a bad thing?

Not in itself — it is a recognised way of exposing weak reasoning before a decision is made. It gets a poor reputation when someone uses the phrase to float a view they actually hold, or to keep debating a sensitive topic at someone else's expense.

Where does the apostrophe go?

After the l and before the s: devil's advocate. The advocate belongs to one devil, so it is a singular possessive.

Where does the phrase come from?

From the Latin advocatus diaboli, the role in Catholic canonisation proceedings whose job was to argue against declaring a person a saint by presenting every objection and doubt. The opposing role was known as God's advocate.

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