demonic

adjective

de·​mon·​ic di-ˈmä-nik How to pronounce demonic (audio)
dē-
variants or less commonly demonical
: of, relating to, or suggestive of a demon : fiendish
demonic cruelty
demonic laughter
demonically adverb

Examples of demonic in a Sentence

the villain in the movie cackled with demonic laughter
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
With every temptation, Jesus is lured into a forbidden world, and a terrified Joseph soon realizes that a demonic power is at work. Mekishana Pierre, Entertainment Weekly, 1 Oct. 2025 On the Met’s stage, the writer — called, say, Jamal Khashoggi — would be sung by a heroic tenor, his tormentor by a demonic baritone. Justin Davidson, Vulture, 30 Sep. 2025 These extraordinary moments when ordinary people become demonic. H. Alan Scott, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Sep. 2025 However, instead of caving to the demands of the USFF's powers-that-be, Cam refuses to sacrifice his soul by signing the contract and proceeds to unleash his strength on everyone involved in the demonic proceedings in an ultra-violent massacre. Megan McCluskey, Time, 19 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for demonic

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Late Latin daemonicus, borrowed from Greek daemonikós, from daimon-, daímōn "superhuman power, spirit intermediate between gods and humans, demon" + -ikos -ic entry 1

First Known Use

1642, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of demonic was in 1642

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Demonic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/demonic. Accessed 7 Oct. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!