Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Of or relating to Satan: Pertaining to, characteristic of, or resembling the Devil (Satan) in evil, wickedness, or malevolence.
   • Extremely evil or cruel; fiendish: Describes actions, qualities, or entities that are profoundly wicked, malicious, or abhorrent.

Usage and Examples

• Relating to Satan:

  • The cult was accused of performing satanic rituals. (The group was alleged to carry out ceremonies devoted to the Devil.)
  • He wrote a book analyzing satanic symbolism in the text. (He authored a book examining symbols related to Satan within the writing.)

• Extremely evil or cruel:

  • The dictator's satanic regime was responsible for countless atrocities. (The ruler's profoundly wicked government caused innumerable horrors.)
  • A look of satanic glee crossed his face as he revealed his plan. (An expression of fiendish joy appeared on his face when he disclosed his scheme.)

Advanced Usage

• "satanic panic": A term referring to a period of widespread moral fear and false accusations regarding Satanic ritual abuse.
  • The 1980s saw a wave of satanic panic that affected many communities.
• Used in literary and rhetorical contexts to emphasize extreme, almost supernatural evil.
  • The villain's satanic laughter echoed through the hall.

Variants and Related Words

• Satanically (adverb): In a satanic manner.
  • The character was satanically clever in his deception.
• Satanism (noun): The worship of Satan or the symbolic practice of ideologies associated with Satan.
  • He was studying the history of modern Satanism.

Synonyms

• Diabolical: Of or like the devil; very wicked.
• Fiendish: Extremely cruel or unpleasant.
• Demonic: Of, like, or characteristic of a demon or demons.
• Infernal: Of or relating to hell.
• Hellish: Extremely unpleasant or cruel.

Related Phrases and Idioms

• Satanic verses: A historical and literary reference, most famously to certain controversial lines allegedly once included in the Quran.
  • The novel 'The Satanic Verses' sparked international controversy.
• While "satanic" itself is not typically part of phrasal verbs, it is used in compound adjectives like "satanic cult" or "satanic abuse".

Adjective

1. of or relating to Satan
   • Satanic verses
2. extremely evil or cruel; expressive of cruelty or befitting hell
   • something demonic in him--something that could be cruel
   • fires lit up a diabolic scene
   • diabolical sorcerers under the influence of devils
   • a fiendish despot
   • hellish torture
   • infernal instruments of war
   • satanic cruelty
   • unholy grimaces