diabolical
/,daiə'bɔlik/ Cách viết khác : (diabolical) /,daiə'bɔlikəl/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Adjective:
- Extremely evil, cruel, or wicked: Describes something or someone that is profoundly evil, often in a way that seems to come from or be characteristic of the devil or hell.
- Devilishly clever or ingenious: Describes something that is clever or cunning in a way that is considered wicked or sinister.
Examples of Usage
- Describing extreme evil or cruelty:
- The villain's plan was truly diabolical in its cruelty.
- They uncovered evidence of diabolical acts committed during the war.
- Describing devilish cleverness:
- The escape was the result of a diabolical scheme.
- He solved the problem with diabolical ingenuity.
Advanced Usage
- "diabolical" vs. "devilish": While both imply a connection to the devil, "diabolical" often carries a stronger connotation of extreme, shocking evil or cruelty, whereas "devilish" can sometimes be used more lightly to mean mischievous or clever.
- The diabolical nature of the crime horrified the community. (Extreme evil)
- He had a devilish grin as he played the prank. (Mischievous)
Variants and Related Words
- Diabolically (adverb): In an extremely evil or clever manner.
- The trap was diabolically clever.
- Diabolism (noun): Worship of or belief in the devil; sorcery.
- The cult was accused of practicing diabolism.
Synonyms
- Fiendish: Extremely cruel or unpleasant; devilish.
- Infernal: Relating to or characteristic of hell; devilish.
- Satanic: Pertaining to or characteristic of Satan; supremely evil.
- Demonic: Relating to or characteristic of demons or evil spirits.
- Mephistophelian: Cunning, fiendish, and cynical (from the literary character Mephistopheles).
Related Phrases and Idioms
- A diabolical liberty (British informal): An action that is shockingly unfair or presumptuous.
- It's a diabolical liberty that they charged us so much for so little.
- Diabolical cunning: Extreme and wicked cleverness.
- The spy used diabolical cunning to infiltrate the organization.
Adjective
- 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
- showing the cunning or ingenuity or wickedness typical of a devil
- devilish schemes
- the cold calculation and diabolic art of some statesmen
- the diabolical expression on his face
- a mephistophelian glint in his eye