diabolical

adjective

di·​a·​bol·​i·​cal ˌdī-ə-ˈbä-li-kəl How to pronounce diabolical (audio)
variants or diabolic
: of, relating to, or characteristic of the devil : devilish
a diabolical plot
diabolically adverb
diabolicalness noun

Did you know?

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."

Examples of diabolical in a Sentence

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.
They are set upon by one of Eudoxia’s five sons and his warband of mutant creatures – half-man, half-animal abominations created by the former Empress as part of her many diabolical experiments. Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 17 May 2025 In his diabolical follow-up, a teacher (Julia Garner) becomes a community pariah after her entire class vanishes into the dead, the very dead, of night. Randy Myers, Mercury News, 17 May 2025 And the diabolical green complexes, many of which are surrounded by bunkers and collection areas? Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 May 2025 Who else can possibly prevent Ethan’s nemesis, Gabriel (Esai Morales), in his deluded attempts to master that diabolical gizmo? Tom Gliatto, People.com, 14 May 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

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of diabolical was in the 15th century

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Cite this Entry

“Diabolical.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/diabolical. Accessed 22 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

diabolical

adjective
di·​a·​bol·​i·​cal ˌdī-ə-ˈbäl-i-kəl How to pronounce diabolical (audio)
variants or diabolic
: of, relating to, or characteristic of the devil : fiendish
diabolically adverb
diabolicalness noun
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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