variants
or diabolic
as in demonic
of, relating to, or worthy of an evil spirit
the police quickly mobilized to track down the diabolical criminals before they struck again
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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Recent Examples of diabolical
In a diabolical variation on the real hot-seat technique, students pelt each other with accusations before coming together in a group snuggle that’s at least as disturbing as the emotional—and sometimes physical—violence.
—
Judy Berman, Time, 25 Sep. 2025
The black and-white film was playing on the wall again, the masked couple walking more quickly, backward now around the fountain, something diabolical in their smiles.
—Literary Hub, 24 Sep. 2025
One of the most diabolical moments ever devised by Horne and the Taskmaster writers, this one’s got it all, from James Acaster absolutely losing his mind to Rhod Gilbert taking it all out on Horne through a simple reinterpretation of the task instructions.
—Matthew Jackson, Vulture, 11 Sep. 2025
Their challenge on Frankenstein was bringing to the big screen the horror-meister’s vision of egotistical scientist Victor Frankenstein and his monster as part of a diabolical experiment.
—Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 6 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for diabolical
Judy Berman, Time, 25 Sep. 2025
The black and-white film was playing on the wall again, the masked couple walking more quickly, backward now around the fountain, something diabolical in their smiles.
—Literary Hub, 24 Sep. 2025
One of the most diabolical moments ever devised by Horne and the Taskmaster writers, this one’s got it all, from James Acaster absolutely losing his mind to Rhod Gilbert taking it all out on Horne through a simple reinterpretation of the task instructions.
—Matthew Jackson, Vulture, 11 Sep. 2025
Their challenge on Frankenstein was bringing to the big screen the horror-meister’s vision of egotistical scientist Victor Frankenstein and his monster as part of a diabolical experiment.
—Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 6 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for diabolical
Recent Examples of Synonyms for diabolical
Adjective
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What did demonic erotica have to do with regulating internet-service providers?—
Ali Breland,
The Atlantic,
22 Oct. 2025
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But unlike other series cappers, Last Rites didn’t try to be a summation of every demonic threat the duo has ever encountered, instead opting for another familial story by way of 1986’s Smurl haunting in Pennsylvania.—
Brian Davids,
HollywoodReporter,
20 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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The film that introduced us to both Anya Taylor-Joy and the concept of pilgrim horror, The Witch flew onto the big screen like a sinister crow during a frigid New England winter.—
Gwen Ihnat,
Entertainment Weekly,
18 Oct. 2025
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To prevent this sinister tax, the White House should announce a set of retaliation measures.—
Stephen Moore,
Boston Herald,
16 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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They are known as witches or evil shamans with the ability to shape-shift into animals or other people and are both feared and respected.—
Tiffany Acosta,
AZCentral.com,
17 Oct. 2025
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Also nominated, Pohl starred as evil Esme Prince on General Hospital.—
Stephanie Wenger,
PEOPLE,
17 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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The best way to safeguard yourself from malicious links that install malware, potentially accessing your private information, is to have strong antivirus software installed on all your devices.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
18 Oct. 2025
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Beyond removing banners, pop-ups, and videos that automatically play, AdGuard also protects against phishing attempts and malicious ads that can compromise your security.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
17 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Diabolical.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/diabolical. Accessed 23 Oct. 2025.
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