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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Recent Examples of diabolical
The protagonist’s diabolical plot is fuelled by an unmanageable tangle of emotions, including raging jealousy, mercenary self-interest, and resentment of Eileen’s professional and intellectual accomplishments, which sparks shame at her own cosseted frivolity.
—
Richard Brody, New Yorker, 17 Oct. 2025
Whatever his reason, Mazzulla chose to put his own diabolical spin on the Celtics’ preseason media game Tuesday afternoon.
—Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 15 Oct. 2025
Though the film’s primary love story is between the cellmates, there are also the relationships playing out in the fictional movie musical set within the movie, which stars Lopez as an actress playing both the unlucky-in-love heroine and the diabolical Spider Woman of the title.
—Jenelle Riley, Variety, 10 Oct. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for diabolical
Richard Brody, New Yorker, 17 Oct. 2025
Whatever his reason, Mazzulla chose to put his own diabolical spin on the Celtics’ preseason media game Tuesday afternoon.
—Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 15 Oct. 2025
Though the film’s primary love story is between the cellmates, there are also the relationships playing out in the fictional movie musical set within the movie, which stars Lopez as an actress playing both the unlucky-in-love heroine and the diabolical Spider Woman of the title.
—Jenelle Riley, Variety, 10 Oct. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for diabolical
Recent Examples of Synonyms for diabolical
Adjective
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When their biggest demonic enemy (Lee Byung-hun) encourages the formation of an equally popular K-pop boy band aimed at stealing the souls of their fans, the trio has to fight harder than ever to hold the demons at bay while keeping their friendship intact.—
Anthony D'Alessandro,
Deadline,
5 Nov. 2025
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Ronnie is able to bite through the cord and separate herself, but her mother — now demonic and decaying — rushes toward her.—
Louis Peitzman,
Vulture,
3 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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But as old tensions flare between them, Katie begins to experience terrifying visions and a ghostly presence warning of something sinister lurking aboard.—
Zac Ntim,
Deadline,
6 Nov. 2025
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Which casts a show seemingly designed to bypass all judgments with respect to storytelling and taste, gliding straight to the pleasure center of some imaginary horny, enraged, shopaholic feminine id, in a fairly sinister light.—
Judy Berman,
Time,
5 Nov. 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,
8 Nov. 2025
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For many of Modi’s supporters, Mamdani’s rhetoric is seen as a malicious attack on the country’s majority religion.—
Rhea Mogul,
CNN Money,
7 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Diabolical.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/diabolical. Accessed 12 Nov. 2025.
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