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diabolical

diabolical

44 8.2
Very evil and cruel, like a devil
  • adjective
  • /ˌdaɪəˈbɑːlɪkəl/
translation icon : diabólico
  • We believe it signifies the diabolical trinity: the devil, Antichrist and false prophet.
  • a diabolical pact
  • diabolical forces

That is about as diabolical and morally defunct as you can be.

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Examples

  • The revelation of the Fall and of diabolical activity explains distressing aspects of the human condition.

    Academic text (2008)
  • Threse is portrayed as diabolical, capable of possessing her lover's soul.

    Academic text (2001)
  • It's about time someone stood up to those diabolical Bad Guys.

  • Is this the part when you reveal your diabolical plan to kill me?

  • So nice when diabolical evil lives up to the hype.

  • Hoover knew about it and stated it was so diabolical that no one would believe it.

    Blog text (13)
  • Brother against brother is infinitely more diabolical than stranger against stranger.

    Fiction book (1993)
  • My friends, we are about to embark on the most odious... the most evil, the most diabolical scheme... of my illustrious career.

  • The villain's diabolical plan involved a series of terrifying traps for anyone who dared to enter his lair.

  • Her diabolical intentions became clear when she sabotaged her opponent's chances of winning the competition.

Synonyms

wicked
vsdiabolical
149 4.6

A person or action that is very bad and cruel

signals a stronger, devil-linked degree of evil rather than general badness
heinous
vsdiabolical
  • Formal
92 9.0

Extremely cruel and shocking

means extreme evil more generally rather than only shocking criminal acts
demonic
vsdiabolical
91 8.1

Extremely evil and cruel, as if caused by the devil

is similar but less explicitly tied to supernatural evil
depraved
vsdiabolical
  • Formal
48 7.8

Very bad and cruel in the way someone behaves

means extreme evil in a broader sense rather than moral twisting specifically
nefarious
vsdiabolical
  • Formal
47 8.8

Very bad and illegal, done to harm people

covers extreme devil-like evil more than ordinary criminal wrongdoing
satanic
vsdiabolical
36 7.5

Extremely evil and cruel, like something from hell

means extreme evil but is not always tied to hell imagery
hellish
vsdiabolical
28 6.1

Very unpleasant and painful, like being in hell

means extreme evil in character rather than merely being extremely unpleasant
malevolent
vsdiabolical
22 8.0

Wanting to harm others

implies active, extreme wickedness rather than mere harmful intent or spite
ungodly
vsdiabolical
21 7.2

Morally wrong because it goes against religious rules

expresses general devil-like evil rather than only religious sin
unholy
vsdiabolical
20 6.3

Extremely cruel and evil, like something from hell

implies extreme evil more generally, not only religious wrongness
devilish
vsdiabolical
17 4.4

Being very naughty in a playful, clever way

expresses extreme wickedness rooted in a devil-like nature rather than playful mischief
dastardly
vsdiabolical
  • Archaic
17 8.4

A person who is very cruel and cowardly, often betraying others secretly

focuses on outright devil-like evil, not necessarily cowardice or treachery
villainous
vsdiabolical
14 7.3

Very bad and cruel, often hurting other people

focuses on pure extreme evil rather than theatrical villain roles or crime
fiendish
vsdiabolical
10 7.9

Being very cruel and evil and making others suffer

is similar but more linked to supernatural evil rather than plain cruelty
infernal
vsdiabolical
  • Literature
8 8.3

Very evil and cruel, causing great pain or suffering

refers to extreme evil tied to supernatural hell imagery rather than ordinary badness
baleful
vsdiabolical
  • Formal
4 8.4

Looking or sounding dangerous and making you feel afraid

is about extreme moral evil itself rather than simply a menacing sign
iniquitous
vsdiabolical
  • Formal
2 9.8

Very unfair and wrong in a way that harms people

is about harsh devil-like wickedness rather than legal or social unfairness
diabolic
vsdiabolical
1 7.8

Very evil and cruel, like the devil

is the same meaning but uses the -al ending spelling
flagitious
vsdiabolical
  • Archaic
1 9.9

A very wicked and criminal act that shocks people

is about extreme evil with a supernatural tone rather than crime focus
demoniacal
vsdiabolical
  • Archaic
9.9

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

describes extreme evil without implying supernatural possession or frenzy
mephistophelean
vsdiabolical
  • Literature
9.9

Showing clever, cruel behavior like a devil

focuses on sheer extreme evil rather than clever, scheming wickedness
mephistophelian
vsdiabolical
  • Literature
9.9

Very clever and cruel like a devil

refers to brutal evil more than cunning or theatrical villainy

Antonyms

2.2

Not guilty of a crime or wrongdoing

32 4.0

Kind, pure, and innocent in a way that seems like an angel

How Evil

diabolical
44 8.2
evil
3.0
wicked
149 4.6
bad
12 4.9

Surface Forms

diabolical positive
diabolicaler comparative
diabolicalest superlative

Morphology

diabolical = diabolic (semi-transparent) = diabol + ic + al

The step from 'diabolic' to 'diabolical' is a regular adjective formation, but the combining form 'diabol-' is not obvious to most learners, so the relation is only partially transparent.

Etymology

Diabolical comes from the Greek word diabolos, which meant 'accuser' or 'slanderer' and later became the name for the devil. So something diabolical is like the devil, very evil or wicked.