diabolical

Also di·a·bol·i·c

[dahy-uh-bol-i-kuhl]

adjective

1. having the qualities of a devil; devilish; fiendish; outrageously wicked.

   a diabolical plot.

2. pertaining to or actuated by a devil.

diabolical

/ ˌdaɪəˈbɒlɪkəl /

adjective

1. excruciatingly bad; outrageous

2. (intensifier)

   a diabolical liberty

Other Word Forms

• diabolically adverb
• diabolicalness noun
• hyperdiabolical adjective
• hyperdiabolically adverb
• hyperdiabolicalness noun
• nondiabolical adjective
• nondiabolically adverb
• nondiabolicalness noun
• superdiabolical adjective
• superdiabolically adverb
• superdiabolicalness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of diabolical¹

First recorded in 1500–10; from Late Latin diabolicus ( diabolic ( def. ) ) + -al ¹ ( def. )

Example Sentences

Sentencing the teenager at the High Court in Glasgow, judge Lord Arthurson said he had planned a "quite diabolical atrocity".

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The student said the incident had had "a diabolical impact" on her.

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Maverick: After all these years we have finally found a team who where so diabolical at taking penalties that we managed to win one.

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“You needed her to be diabolical in order to show what really was happening there,” says Davidtz.

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Netflix House at Galleria Dallas will have a game room and immersive experiences based on “Stranger Things” and “Squid Game,” where players will engage in “diabolical games.”

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Related Words

• cruel 
• fiendish 
• heinous 
• hellish 
• vicious 
• vile 
• wicked