diabolical

[ dahy-uh-bol-i-kuhl ]

/ ˌdaɪ əˈbɒl ɪ kəl /

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See synonyms for: diabolical / diabolically on Thesaurus.com

adjective

having the qualities of a devil; devilish; fiendish; outrageously wicked: a diabolical plot.

pertaining to or actuated by a devil.

QUIZ

THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?

Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.

Question 1 of 7

In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…

candystring

candyfloss

candypuff

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Also di·a·bol·i·c

[dahy-uh-bol-ik] /ˌdaɪ əˈbɒl ɪk/ .

Origin of diabolical

First recorded in 1500–10; from Late Latin diabolicus (see diabolic) + -al¹

OTHER WORDS FROM diabolical

di·a·bol·i·cal·ly, adverbdi·a·bol·i·cal·ness, nounhy·per·di·a·bol·i·cal, adjectivehy·per·di·a·bol·i·cal·ly, adverb

hy·per·di·a·bol·i·cal·ness, nounnon·di·a·bol·i·cal, adjectivenon·di·a·bol·i·cal·ly, adverbnon·di·a·bol·i·cal·ness, nounsu·per·di·a·bol·i·cal, adjectivesu·per·di·a·bol·i·cal·ly, adverbsu·per·di·a·bol·i·cal·ness, noun

Words nearby diabolical

diabetologist, diable, diablerie, diablo, diabolic, diabolical, diabolism, diabolize, diabolo, diacaustic, diacetic acid

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use diabolical in a sentence

At some point, show creator Mark Burnett made the diabolical decision to extend the show to 120 minutes.
Donald Trump Fires Woman For Not Calling Bill Cosby|Jack Holmes, The Daily Beast Video|January 5, 2015|DAILY BEAST
His most elaborate camera maneuvers seemed almost diabolical in their complexity.
Alfred Hitchcock’s Fade to Black: The Great Director’s Final Days|David Freeman|December 13, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Sharry blames a “diabolical marketing scheme” by smugglers that led to a sudden doubling of the numbers.
The White House’s Woman in the Immigration Crosshairs|Eleanor Clift|July 31, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The most diabolical gift you can give a grad is my book How to Fail at Almost Everything and Still Win Big.
10 Terrible Gift Ideas for Graduates From Dilbert Creator Scott Adams|Scott Adams|May 17, 2014|DAILY BEAST

Boko Haram presents a more diabolical danger than anybody could have imagined a half-century ago.
We Built a School in Boko Haram’s Heartland|Michael Daly|May 13, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The lady was passée, vulgar, and her temper was almost diabolical; but she still retained her hold upon Lord Hetton's affections.
The Pit Town Coronet, Volume II (of 3)|Charles James Wills
If Maria does not take care, I shall write a much sharper invective against her, for not answering my Diabolical book.
Private Letters of Edward Gibbon (1753-1794) Volume 1 (of 2)|Edward Gibbon
Assassination and incendiarism were the common instruments of this diabolical association of fanaticism and bigotry.
The History of England in Three Volumes, Vol.III.|E. Farr and E. H. Nolan
What if that uncanny demon should return, and undo all his labor by some diabolical plan or act?
A Fortune Hunter; Or, The Old Stone Corral|John Dunloe Carteret
This wonder was accomplished by the magic power of a diabolical Rose which the lady carried in her bodice.
Devil-Worship in France|Arthur Edward Waite

British Dictionary definitions for diabolical

diabolical

/ (ˌdaɪəˈbɒlɪkəl) /

adjective informal

excruciatingly bad; outrageous

(intensifier)a diabolical liberty

Derived forms of diabolical

diabolically, adverbdiabolicalness, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

diabolical

Origin of diabolical

OTHER WORDS FROM diabolical

Words nearby diabolical

Words related to diabolical

How to use diabolical in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for diabolical

Derived forms of diabolical