demoniac
Americanadjective
-
of, relating to, or like a demon; demonic.
demoniac laughter.
- Antonyms:
- angelic
-
possessed by or as by an evil spirit; raging; frantic.
noun
adjective
-
of, like, or suggestive of a demon; demonic
-
suggesting inner possession or inspiration
the demoniac fire of genius
-
frantic; frenzied; feverish
demoniac activity
noun
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of demoniac
1350–1400; Middle English < Late Latin daemoniacus < Greek daimoniakós, equivalent to daimóni ( os ) pertaining to a daemon + -akos -ac
Explanation
Use the adjective demoniac to describe something or someone who seems to be possessed by a demon, like the demoniac rantings of the actors portraying scary creatures at the haunted house. To pronounce demoniac, accent the second syllable: "de-MOE-nee-ac." The word has a somewhat confusing origin. The Latin word daemon means "spirit" and comes from the Greek word daimon, meaning "lesser god" or "guiding spirit." The Christian Greeks, however, translated it as "god of the heathen" and "unclean spirit." It is this negative connotation that is connected to demoniac: "like a demon."
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
His demoniac speed and guile were crucial in the quarterfinals when the Springboks edged France two weeks ago.
From Washington Times ● Oct. 27, 2023
Memes of his demoniac look, arms crossed across his chest, had gone viral, as did the gif of him dancing with a woman in the crowd.
From The Guardian ● Jun. 27, 2018
A life in labs had stripped her of any fear of night-shrieking plumbing or demoniac electrics.
From Nature ● Apr. 10, 2013
Mr. Heppner’s hearty tenor showed occasional signs of strain, but it would be difficult to imagine a performer better suited to convey Ahab’s complex mix of demoniac compulsion and fleeting heroism.
From New York Times ● May 2, 2010
The demoniac wizards and the hideous old witches who haunted Europe and America, too, up to quite recent years, play no part at all in the stories.
From "Mythology: Timeless Tales of Gods and Heroes" by Edith Hamilton
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
