diabolical

[ 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

Derived Forms

• ˌdiaˈbolically, adverb
• ˌdiaˈbolicalness, noun

Other Words From

• di·a·bol·i·cal·ly adverb
• di·a·bol·i·cal·ness noun
• hy·per·di·a·bol·i·cal adjective
• hy·per·di·a·bol·i·cal·ly adverb
• hy·per·di·a·bol·i·cal·ness noun
• non·di·a·bol·i·cal adjective
• non·di·a·bol·i·cal·ly adverb
• non·di·a·bol·i·cal·ness noun
• su·per·di·a·bol·i·cal adjective
• su·per·di·a·bol·i·cal·ly adverb
• su·per·di·a·bol·i·cal·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of diabolical¹

First recorded in 1500–10; from Late Latin diabolicus ( diabolic ( def ) ) + -al ¹( def )

Example Sentences

We float around the room like an invisible spider, circling and weaving this trio into a diabolical web.

From Los Angeles Times

Their logic is he will not be so diabolical and dangerous.

From Salon

Many in Africa’s most-populous country believe in, and live in fear of, witches and the diabolical powers they supposedly wield.

From BBC

If one were to be a conspiracy theorist, the demise of the once proud Pac-12 can be directly attributed to a diabolical scheme hatched by Oregon State and Washington State.

From Los Angeles Times

While some would-be showgoers expressed frustration at the last-minute timing, with one saying “4 hours before the show is diabolical,” most sent well wishes.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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