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Like the word devil, "diabolical" traces back to Latin diabolus, which itself descends from Greek diabolos, a word that literally means "slanderer." In English, "diabolical" has many nuances of meaning. It can describe the devil himself (as in "my diabolical visitor") or anything related to or characteristic of him in appearance, behavior, or thought; examples include "diabolical lore," "a diabolical grin," and "a diabolical plot." In British slang, "diabolical" can also mean "disgraceful" or "bad," as in "the food was diabolical."
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Examples of diabolical in a Sentence
Danny Horn, EW.com, 29 Dec. 2024
Ellen’s entire life has been a nightmare, haunted by Orlok and his diabolical lust.
—Erik Kain, Forbes, 29 Dec. 2024
Each contest is more diabolical and intriguing than those Gi-hun had experienced in his first go-round.
—Shirley Li, The Atlantic, 26 Dec. 2024
Lisa was diabolical in planning who rooms together.
—Sarah Hagi, Vulture, 12 Dec. 2024
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Cite this Entry
“Diabolical.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/diabolical. Accessed 21 Jan. 2025.
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diabolical
adjective
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