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demonic

demonic

70 8.1
Extremely evil and cruel, as if caused by the devil
  • adjective
  • /dɪˈmɒnɪk/
: demoníaco
  • As the end ends, a demonic voice chuckles from the TV.
  • demonic possession
  • demonic forces
  • demonic power

They've also got an angelic or demonic aspect, take your pick.

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Examples

  • It's not every day that you see a demonic possession on live television.

  • What crazy world, sick demonic world are we living in?

  • All this demonic talk could drive a person crazy, you know?

  • Yeah, For example, the demonic entity is not actually the issue here.

  • Its voice is an unspeakable demonic cry, the essence of fear and suffering.

    Fiction book (1990)
  • The conjuring of demonic forces was a tricky business and required careful regulation.

    Academic text (2008)
  • The noble savage is an image that, in many ways, is juxtaposed to the demonic representation already discussed.

    Academic text (1996)
  • Harry rides at the heart of the demonic troop, his eyes filled with dread.

    Fiction book (2002)
  • Then, from the darkness all around them comes a chorus of demonic, bloodcurdling yells.

    Fiction book (1995)
  • The villain in the movie had a demonic laugh that sent chills down everyone's spine.

Synonyms

wicked
vsdemonic
112 4.6

A person or action that is very bad and cruel

adds a sense of extreme, devil-like inspiration to that moral wrong
wretched
vsdemonic
  • Offensive
44 7.1

Very bad in a moral way and deserving strong blame

is harsher, suggesting cruelty comes from a devilish or hellish source
nefarious
vsdemonic
  • Formal
43 8.8

Very bad and illegal, done to harm people

casts such wrongdoing as especially cruel, as if devil inspired
diabolical
vsdemonic
42 8.2

Very evil and cruel, like a devil

is similar but frames cruelty as if inspired by the devil
hellish
vsdemonic
27 6.1

Very unpleasant and painful, like being in hell

focuses specifically on cruel wickedness as if devil inspired
satanic
vsdemonic
26 7.5

Extremely evil and cruel, like something from hell

expresses extreme wickedness framed as being inspired rather than literal
ungodly
vsdemonic
18 7.2

Morally wrong because it goes against religious rules

focuses more on extreme cruelty presented as devil-inspired rather than just sinful
villainous
vsdemonic
14 7.3

Very bad and cruel, often hurting other people

leans more toward cruelty framed as if inspired by a devilish force
unholy
vsdemonic
13 6.3

Extremely cruel and evil, like something from hell

casts extreme cruelty as if driven by a devilish influence
fiendish
vsdemonic
10 7.9

Being very cruel and evil and making others suffer

is darker, suggesting cruelty comes from a devilish source
infernal
vsdemonic
  • Literature
6 8.3

Very evil and cruel, causing great pain or suffering

is similar but suggests devil inspiration for the cruelty
demoniacal
vsdemonic
  • Archaic
1 9.9

Very cruel or wild, as if controlled by an evil spirit

describes extreme cruelty presented as devil-inspired rather than literal possession
demon-ridden
vsdemonic
  • Literature
1 9.9

Seeming to be controlled and troubled by evil spirits

portrays cruelty as if inspired by the devil, not actual haunting
demoniac
vsdemonic
  • Archaic
1 9.9

Being related to an evil spirit or showing its control

emphasizes extreme wickedness as if influenced by a devilish force
diabolic
vsdemonic
1 7.8

Very evil and cruel, like the devil

focuses on cruelty shown as if from devilish inspiration
devil-ridden
vsdemonic
  • Literature
9.9

Filled with evil spirits that control or trouble people

frames severe wickedness as inspired by dark forces rather than literal possession

Antonyms

∞ 1.0

Behaving in a kind and honest way

23 4.3

Being morally good and doing what is right

How Evil

Satanic
37 7.4
demonic
70 8.1
wicked
112 4.6

Surface Forms

demonic positive
demonical positive

Morphology

demonic = demon (transparent) = demon + ic

The adjective is directly formed from 'demon' with the productive suffix '-ic', yielding 'like or relating to demons', which matches the sense.

Etymology

Demonic comes from the old Greek word daimon, which meant 'spirit'. Over time that idea became the word demon for an 'evil' spirit, so demonic describes something that feels like an evil spirit and is extremely cruel or wicked.