Like the word devil, "diabolical" traces back to Latin diabolus, which itself descends from Greek diabolos, a word that literally means "slanderer." In English, "diabolical" has many nuances of meaning. It can describe the devil himself (as in "my diabolical visitor") or anything related to or characteristic of him in appearance, behavior, or thought; examples include "diabolical lore," "a diabolical grin," and "a diabolical plot." In British slang, "diabolical" can also mean "disgraceful" or "bad," as in "the food was diabolical."
the police quickly mobilized to track down the diabolical criminals before they struck again
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.
The event includes a beer, then beer pong, a second beer, then cornhole, a third beer, then flip cup, a keg race, then the diabolical Run, Forrest, Run race around the block — two times!—Ben Crandell, Sun Sentinel, 3 July 2025 Theologian, pastor and writer, Bonhoeffer had a role in a scheme to remove Hitler from power because of Hitler’s diabolical persecution of Jews and others.—Walt Shelton, Austin American Statesman, 2 July 2025 The Oscar-winning actor and filmmaker will reportedly portray the husband of Streep’s diabolical fashion magazine maven Miranda Priestly.—Karu F. Daniels, New York Daily News, 30 June 2025 These diabolical onslaughts are further weaponized by the reckless defunding of scientific and medical research and the undermining of public libraries (including the Library of Congress), museums, and other cultural institutions.—Donna Seaman
june 18, Literary Hub, 18 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for diabolical
Word History
Etymology
diabolical from diabolic + -ical; diabolic going back to Middle English deabolik, borrowed from Middle French & Late Latin; Middle French dyabolique, borrowed from Late Latin diabolicus, borrowed from Late Greek diabolikós, going back to Greek, "slanderous," from diábolos "accuser, backbiter, slanderer" + -ikos-ic entry 1 — more at devil entry 1
Share