infernal

[in-fur-nl]

adjective

1. hellish; fiendish; diabolical.

   an infernal plot.

2. extremely troublesome, annoying, etc.; atrocious.

   an infernal nuisance.

   Synonyms: wretched, abominable, damnable, cursed, blasted, accursed

3. of, inhabiting, or befitting hell.

4. Classical Mythology.,  of or relating to the underworld.

infernal

/ ɪnˈfɜːnəl /

adjective

1. of or relating to an underworld of the dead

2. deserving hell or befitting its occupants; diabolic; fiendish

3. informal,  irritating; confounded

Other Word Forms

• infernality noun
• infernally adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of infernal¹

First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English, from Late Latin infernālis, equivalent to Latin infern(us) “situated below, of the underworld” ( inferior ) + -ālis -al ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of infernal¹

C14: from Late Latin infernālis, from infernus hell, from Latin (adj): lower, hellish; related to Latin inferus low

Example Sentences

“I must think of something, anything, to keep my mind off this infernal waiting!”

Read more on Literature

Writers called the trees “grotesque,” “infernal” and “uncouth.”

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When Davis wrote his controversial piece, he also noted that “late August to early October is the infernal season in Los Angeles.”

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Her right hand, fingers curled, rests on the infernal machine, while her left hand is open on the windowsill.

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I again pleaded with the entity that is running this infernal simulation to please stop.

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Related Words

• demonic 
• devilish 
• hellish 
• malevolent 
• wicked