mephistophelian
9.9
Very clever and cruel like a devil
- adjective
- /ˌmɛfɪˈstɒfəlɪən/
- Literature
:
mefistofélico
- She had a mephistophelian charm that made people trust her, even when they shouldn't.
Examples
-
A character with a Mephistophelian face gave them all the permissions they desired.
Academic text (2007) -
The villain's mephistophelian schemes fooled everyone in the town.
-
His mephistophelian grin suggested that he was up to no good.
Synonyms
diabolical
vsmephistophelian
44
8.2
Very evil and cruel, like a devil
is more about cunning clever wickedness rather than sheer cruelty
Satanic
vsmephistophelian
26
7.4
Connected with Satan or with evil beliefs and rituals
is focused on clever devilish cunning rather than religious evil
devilish
vsmephistophelian
17
4.4
Being very naughty in a playful, clever way
is darker cunning and more wicked rather than playful mischief
diabolic
vsmephistophelian
1
7.8
Very evil and cruel, like the devil
is more about clever cunning and devilish craft than raw cruelty
9.9
Showing clever, cruel behavior like a devil
is identical in sense but uses the other spelling form
Antonyms
How Wicked
Surface Forms
mephistophelian positive
Etymology
Mephistophelian comes from the name Mephistopheles, the devil in the old story of Faust who uses clever tricks. So calling someone mephistophelian means they are cunning and wicked, like that devil.