diabolical

adjective

di·​a·​bol·​i·​cal ˌdī-ə-ˈbä-li-kəl How to pronounce diabolical (audio)
variants or diabolic
: of, relating to, or characteristic of the devil : devilish
a diabolical plot
diabolically adverb
diabolicalness noun

Did you know?

Like the word devil, "diabolical" traces back to Latin diabolus, which itself descends from Greek diabolos, a word that literally means "slanderer." In English, "diabolical" has many nuances of meaning. It can describe the devil himself (as in "my diabolical visitor") or anything related to or characteristic of him in appearance, behavior, or thought; examples include "diabolical lore," "a diabolical grin," and "a diabolical plot." In British slang, "diabolical" can also mean "disgraceful" or "bad," as in "the food was diabolical."

Examples of diabolical in a Sentence

the police quickly mobilized to track down the diabolical criminals before they struck again
Recent Examples on the Web Villeneuve’s attempt at moral extremes (Paul the messiah versus his diabolical adversary) suddenly shifts to black and white. Armond White, National Review, 1 Mar. 2024 He’s taken on roles that are entirely diabolical to one another, such as playing a child murderer in The Lovely Bones and assuming the role of Paul Childs, husband of Julia Child, in Julie and Julia. Roberta Matuson, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2024 At least, diabolical for the city’s already ailing economy. Simon Constable, Forbes, 25 Feb. 2024 Sadly for Iznogoud, his diabolical attempts are destined to fail. Ernesto Lechner, The Hollywood Reporter, 17 Feb. 2024 The cat was fondly named Dia after the airport it was smuggled through and a play on the word diabolical from the viral video, McCloskey said. Lauren Penington, The Denver Post, 26 Jan. 2024 Now, the action might be completely insane and diabolical and verging on ... Sydney Bucksbaum, EW.com, 21 July 2023 Sorry to be dramatic, but there is something diabolical about an uncomfortable sports bra. Hannah Dylan Pasternak, SELF, 7 Feb. 2024 As a result, even with better production wrinkles, some exciting challenge tweaks, and some brilliantly diabolical moves by Jesse, the season itself felt a bit snoozy and lacking in huge, iconic moments (outside of the Cody blindside, of course). Dalton Ross, EW.com, 22 Dec. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'diabolical.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

diabolical from diabolic + -ical; diabolic going back to Middle English deabolik, borrowed from Middle French & Late Latin; Middle French dyabolique, borrowed from Late Latin diabolicus, borrowed from Late Greek diabolikós, going back to Greek, "slanderous," from diábolos "accuser, backbiter, slanderer" + -ikos -ic entry 1 — more at devil entry 1

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of diabolical was in the 15th century

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Dictionary Entries Near diabolical

Cite this Entry

“Diabolical.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/diabolical. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

diabolical

adjective
di·​a·​bol·​i·​cal ˌdī-ə-ˈbäl-i-kəl How to pronounce diabolical (audio)
variants or diabolic
: of, relating to, or characteristic of the devil : fiendish
diabolically adverb
diabolicalness noun
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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