diabolical
/dʌɪəˈbɒlɪk(ə)l
/adjective
1Characteristic of the Devil, or so evil as to recall the Devil: his diabolical cunning...
- We are capable of diabolical evil - and angelic goodness.
- It sounded very much like she was trying to sound evil and diabolical, but all she came across as was somewhat disturbed.
- The Devil and his diabolical servants seemed to have no interest in the fate of individual mortals for the moment.
Synonyms
devilish, fiendish, satanic, Mephistophelian, demonic, demoniacal, hellish, infernal, evil, wicked, ungodly, unholy
rare cacodemonic
2British informal Disgracefully bad or unpleasant: a singer with an absolutely diabolical voice...
- I think it's absolutely diabolical and disgraceful that the England players even contemplated going on strike.
- The way in which the process has taken place, and the rush and haste in which this legislation is being rammed through, are a diabolical disgrace.
- I say, and New Zealand First says, that it is a diabolical disgrace to spend $21.15 million in this way.
Synonyms
very great, extreme, excessive, undue, inordinate, immoderate, unconscionable, outrageous;
uncalled for, unprovoked, intolerable, unacceptable, unreasonable, unjustifiable, unwarrantable, without justification, indefensible, inexcusable, unforgivable, unpardonable
Derivatives
diabolically
/ adverb [as submodifier]: a diabolically clever scheme...
- Unless, of course, you think the Bay of Bigs fiasco was actually a diabolically clever criminal conspiracy to make JFK look bad.
- And to think we almost walked right into that diabolically clever trap!
- Social Security is a diabolically inadequate program: if you die, the ‘contributions’ you've made to the system are forfeited, and your heirs are out of luck.