adjective
-
excruciatingly bad; outrageous
-
(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
Etymology
Origin of diabolical
First recorded in 1500–10; from Late Latin diabolicus ( diabolic ( def. ) ) + -al 1 ( def. )
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.
Product designers are coming up with novel ways to rouse deep sleepers that border on diabolical, including clocks that deliver 300-volt electric shocks and donate snoozers’ money to charity.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 6, 2026
Why it’s vital: Never underestimate the power of seeing an intelligent, moral character triumph in the face of overwhelming challenges brought on by diabolical forces.
From Salon • Dec. 19, 2025
The diabolical move from Riley would pay off.
From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 8, 2025
It’s less stupid, for starters, and more diabolical.
From Slate • Jul. 22, 2025
Lord Dunmore’s letters to General Howe, which very fortunately fell into my hands, and were enclosed by me to Congress, will let you pretty fully into his diabolical schemes.
From "The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Traitor to the Nation, Volume II: The Kingdom on the Waves" by M.T. Anderson
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.
