diabolic

[dahy-uh-bol-ik]

adjective

1. variant of diabolical.

diabolic

/ ˌdaɪəˈbɒlɪk /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or proceeding from the devil; satanic

2. befitting a devil; extremely cruel or wicked; fiendish

3. very difficult or unpleasant

Other Word Forms

• diabolicalness noun
• diabolically adverb
• nondiabolic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of diabolic¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English diabolik, from Middle French or directly from Late Latin diabolicus, from Greek diabolikós, equivalent to diábo(os) devil + -ikos -ic

Word History and Origins

Origin of diabolic¹

C14: from Late Latin diabolicus, from Greek diabolikos, from diabolos _devil

Example Sentences

What each of us sees when we look at him — a dangerous whipsaw of insane rhetoric and diabolic intent or a canny businessman who just wants what’s best for Americans — increasingly defines us.

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“I think it is you, the women, who have had the most diabolic lies told to you,” Butker said.

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He deployed a similar move when, immediately upon being sworn in, he issued an executive order banning instruction in those diabolic “divisive” concepts.

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"The dictatorship has once again surpassed its own evil and diabolic spirit."

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Perhaps rattled by the setback, Woods may have made a mental mistake when he chose a 7-iron at the diabolic par-3 12th hole, which was playing into the stiff wind.

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