Skip to main content
Glite Dictionary
diabolism

diabolism

1 9.9
Belief in or worship of devils, especially Satan
  • noun
  • /daɪˈæbəlɪzəm/
translation icon : diabolismo
  • Some scholars argue that diabolism played a significant role in medieval religious beliefs.

Examples

  • The novel explores themes of diabolism as characters grapple with the influence of Satanic forces.

  • Fraudulence, diabolism, and divinity can be established only through a thorough examination of the sufferer's wounds.

    Fiction book (2002)

  • He warned his friends against the dangers of diabolism that can arise in extreme cults.

Synonyms

Satanism
vsdiabolism
11 8.9

Belief in and worship of Satan or devils, often with ceremonies and special practices

is broader, covering belief in or worship of devils beyond one figure
demonism
vsdiabolism
1 9.9

Belief in or worship of evil spirits like Satan

is directed more specifically at devils and especially the figure called Satan
diabolatry
vsdiabolism
  • Archaic
9.9

The worship of devils or Satan

is a general belief or worship not focused on ritual acts
demonolatry
vsdiabolism
  • Specialized
9.9

The worship of demons or evil spirits, often in secret ceremonies

is the general belief or worship not limited to ceremonial rites
devil-worship
vsdiabolism
9.9

To pray to devils or evil spirits, often using special rituals

is about belief as well as worship rather than only the outward practice

Surface Forms

diabolism singular
diabolisms plural

Morphology

diabolism = devil (semi-transparent) = diabol + ism

The meaning refers directly to belief in devils (semantic link to 'devil' is clear) but the combining form 'diabol-' is archaic/Latin-derived and not a standalone modern English word, so the connection may not be obvious to learners.

Etymology

Diabolism comes from an old Greek word, diabolos, that became the word for the 'devil', and the ending -ism means 'a belief' or 'system'. So diabolism is the belief or worship of devils.