variants
or diabolic
as in demonic
of, relating to, or worthy of an evil spirit
the police quickly mobilized to track down the diabolical criminals before they struck again
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of diabolical
Instead of staging a standard elimination competition involving a hamster wheel maze, Reindeer Games introduced a diabolical twist.
—
Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 6 Oct. 2025
In a diabolical variation on the real hot-seat technique, students pelt each other with accusations before coming together in a group snuggle that’s at least as disturbing as the emotional—and sometimes physical—violence.
—Judy Berman, Time, 25 Sep. 2025
The black and-white film was playing on the wall again, the masked couple walking more quickly, backward now around the fountain, something diabolical in their smiles.
—Literary Hub, 24 Sep. 2025
One of the most diabolical moments ever devised by Horne and the Taskmaster writers, this one’s got it all, from James Acaster absolutely losing his mind to Rhod Gilbert taking it all out on Horne through a simple reinterpretation of the task instructions.
—Matthew Jackson, Vulture, 11 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for diabolical
Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 6 Oct. 2025
In a diabolical variation on the real hot-seat technique, students pelt each other with accusations before coming together in a group snuggle that’s at least as disturbing as the emotional—and sometimes physical—violence.
—Judy Berman, Time, 25 Sep. 2025
The black and-white film was playing on the wall again, the masked couple walking more quickly, backward now around the fountain, something diabolical in their smiles.
—Literary Hub, 24 Sep. 2025
One of the most diabolical moments ever devised by Horne and the Taskmaster writers, this one’s got it all, from James Acaster absolutely losing his mind to Rhod Gilbert taking it all out on Horne through a simple reinterpretation of the task instructions.
—Matthew Jackson, Vulture, 11 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for diabolical
Recent Examples of Synonyms for diabolical
Adjective
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What did demonic erotica have to do with regulating internet-service providers?—
Ali Breland,
The Atlantic,
22 Oct. 2025
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But unlike other series cappers, Last Rites didn’t try to be a summation of every demonic threat the duo has ever encountered, instead opting for another familial story by way of 1986’s Smurl haunting in Pennsylvania.—
Brian Davids,
HollywoodReporter,
20 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Their double life soon gets complicated when a rival boy band harboring a sinister secret begins stealing their fans.—
Ingrid Vasquez,
PEOPLE,
25 Oct. 2025
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Candyman, the Candyman franchise (1992–1999; 2021) Helen Lyle (Virginia Madsen) finds out that adoration and horror don't mix when she is faced with the attachment of the sinister Candyman (Tony Todd) in the 1992 film classic.—
Steven Thrash,
Entertainment Weekly,
24 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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But being evil aliens wasn't always on the cards.—
Grace Dean,
Space.com,
25 Oct. 2025
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Even the woman Larry falls for, Gwen (Evelyn Ankers), isn't immune to the animal's evil charms, and the creature nearly chokes the life out of her in one scene.—
Steven Thrash,
Entertainment Weekly,
24 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Police believe the act was done with malicious intent.—
Wren Smetana,
AZCentral.com,
26 Oct. 2025
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The best way to safeguard yourself from malicious links is to have antivirus software installed on all your devices.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
25 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Diabolical.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/diabolical. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.
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