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

"It's a diabolical situation that consumers find themselves in and especially at a really important time of year for families and for businesses," Mr Walker said.

Read more on BBC

The diabolical move from Riley would pay off.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The promise remains dazzling and deliciously diabolical enough for adherents to forget that deals with the devil always come with a hidden, inescapable price tag.

Read more on Salon

But the sinister thing about Obamacare is, and the way the architects did this, it was diabolical.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

After that fall, each bout of sickness or medical procedure causes a cruel chain reaction, like a diabolical Rube Goldberg machine.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

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