satanic

or Sa·tan·ic

[ suh-tan-ik, sey- ]

adjective

1. of Satan.
2. characteristic of or befitting Satan; extremely wicked; devillike; diabolical.

   Synonyms: infernal, fiendish, hellish, devilish, evil

3. of or relating to Satanism, a highly diverse group of religious, philosophical, or countercultural practices centered around Satan.

satanic

/ səˈtænɪk /

adjective

1. of or relating to Satan
2. supremely evil or wicked; diabolic

Derived Forms

• saˈtanically, adverb
• saˈtanicalness, noun

Other Words From

• sa·tan·i·cal·ly adverb
• sa·tan·i·cal·ness noun
• un·sa·tan·ic adjective
• un·sa·tan·i·cal adjective
• un·sa·tan·i·cal·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of satanic¹

First recorded in 1540–50; Satan + -ic ( def )

Example Sentences

The Satanic Verses, criticised by some Muslims as blasphemous, was banned in India shortly after its release, sparking protests worldwide.

From BBC

You describe cancel culture as a moral panic, similar to the Satanic panic of the 1980s.

From Salon

I also anticipated writing about conspiracy theories, like the various “Satanic panics” and QAnon, along with notorious examples of partisan deception, whether in the 1790s or today.

From Salon

When Franklin was charged, the McMartin preschool molestation case — which alleged Satanic ritual abuse on a massive scale — was still slogging through the Los Angeles courts, en route to zero convictions.

From Los Angeles Times

They spoke of mutilated animals and Satanic rites.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• cruel
• maniacal