fiendish

adjective

ˈfēn-dish How to pronounce fiendish (audio)
Definition of fiendishnext
1
as in demonic
of, relating to, or worthy of an evil spirit a fiendish delight in playing cruel tricks

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in brutal
having or showing the desire to inflict severe pain and suffering on others shook with fiendish laughter as he watched his victims writhe in agony

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of fiendish Across the short films, Early plays, among other roles, a smiling, fiendish mall pop act; the shy, offbeat child of an overbearing stage mom; and an extra in a makeup chair whose instruments, his face and his voice, are progressively hampered by prosthetics. — Lauren Michele Jackson, New Yorker, 7 June 2026 Plotting kind of my most fiendish, happy, mad scientist state. — Literary Hub, 4 May 2026 The soloist in the Sibelius was a mediocre violinist ill-equipped to deal with the concerto’s profound emotions and fiendish technical demands. — Luis Palomares, Miami Herald, 27 Feb. 2026 Jim Carrey plays the eponymous Grinch, a fiendish Whoville outlaw who declares war on the festive season. — Danny Horn, Entertainment Weekly, 29 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for fiendish
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fiendish
  1. demonic
  2. brutal
  3. sinister
  4. cruel
  5. diabolical
  6. vicious
  7. malicious
  8. savage
Adjective
  • The film stars Jessica Chastain in a dual role as a mother whose daughter (Arabella Olivia Clark) is being haunted by a demonic entity.
    — James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 8 Oct. 2026
  • In a world fractured by power, fear and political extremism, a group of women uncovers a demonic force operating at the highest level of society-and realizes the chaos around them may be part of a much darker design.
    — Annika Pham, Variety, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of demonic
Adjective
  • Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles is fighting for his job security after a brutal start to the season.
    — Scott Thompson OutKick, FOXNews.com, 9 Oct. 2026
  • There’s the brutal heat; the skin destroying UV-rays of that miserable, scorching, eye-blinding sun; the constant allergy/sinusitis issues that NEVER let up; the smothering humidity.
    — R. Eric Thomas, Washington Post, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of brutal
Adjective
  • Grace Carroll gives a poignant performance as the Nightingale—borne aloft with arched back and trembling, outstretched hands by other dancers, who play thorns that pierce her breast—and Adam Elmes makes a seductively sinister Dorian Gray.
    — Hannah Aizenman, New Yorker, 10 Oct. 2026
  • Clark plays the daughter of Ursula (Jessica Chastain) and Russ (Jay Duplass), a young girl terrorized by a sinister figure who looks just like her mother, known as the titular Other Mommy.
    — Tanya Fedak, Variety, 10 Oct. 2026
Definition of sinister
Adjective
  • The offbeat, cruel cadence of the bit reminded me of classic Update Norm Macdonald.
    — Charu Sinha, Vulture, 11 Oct. 2026
  • The misery of the situation could feel overwhelming, even cruel, but Cahyono’s observation of Sumiati’s struggles is humane and sympathetic.
    — Kambole Campbell, Variety, 10 Oct. 2026
Definition of cruel
Adjective
  • Almost as soon as Jackie enters her flat there, she is accosted by gunmen, narrowly escaping before learning the diabolical and psychopathic mercenaries, The Seven Demons, have been tasked with ending her life.
    — Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Of course, in this case Megatron isn't the diabolical leader of the Decepticons who killed Optimus Prime in the Transformers franchise, but the most detailed simulation to date of the early universe.
    — Robert Lea, Space.com, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of diabolical
Adjective
  • On a blistering surprise EP, Deafheaven find the vicious attack and grandiose drama of symphonic black metal perfectly suited to their purposes.
    — Patrick Lyons, Pitchfork, 13 Oct. 2026
  • Lynch was on the outside trying to gather herself after the vicious table slam.
    — Ryan Gaydos OutKick, FOXNews.com, 11 Oct. 2026
Definition of vicious
Adjective
  • Strong antivirus software can help protect against malicious links, phishing sites and malware that may appear alongside these scams.
    — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Tech companies are playing whack-a-mole around the world as their models get up to more hijinks and are used for malicious purposes.
    — J.D. Capelouto, semafor.com, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of malicious
Adjective
  • The Indian pilot who fought off a savage attack by his copilot and helped prevent an apparent hijack of a Flydubai plane heading to Israel with more than 170 people on board is being hailed as a hero.
    — Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 1 Oct. 2026
  • The Philadelphia Semiconductor Index weathered a savage 30% drawdown, has been choppily trendless for two months, then in recent days finally broke above its downtrend and surmounted the 50-day moving average.
    — Michael Santoli, CNBC, 22 Sep. 2026
Definition of savage

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Cite this Entry

“Fiendish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fiendish. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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