Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Extremely evil or cruel; wicked: Describes something or someone that is profoundly evil, malicious, or cruel in a way that suggests a demonic or supernatural level of wickedness.
   • Devilishly clever or complex: Describes something that is extremely clever, intricate, or difficult, often in a way that is cunning or malicious.

Examples of Usage

• Describing extreme evil or cruelty:
  • The villain in the story had a fiendish plan to take over the world.
  • They were subjected to fiendish torture by their captors.
• Describing devilish cleverness or complexity:
  • The escape room presented a series of fiendish puzzles.
  • He solved the fiendish crossword in record time.

Advanced Usage

• "fiendish delight": A sense of pleasure derived from something cruel or wicked.
  • She took fiendish delight in her rival's misfortune.
• "fiendish grin/smile": A smile that appears cruel, malicious, or suggestive of evil intent.
  • The character flashed a fiendish grin before revealing his trap.

Variants and Related Words

• Fiendishly (adverb): In an extremely evil or clever manner.
  • The problem was fiendishly difficult to solve.
• Fiend (noun): An evil spirit or demon; a very wicked or cruel person; or (informally) a person who is excessively fond of or addicted to something.
  • He is a fiend for classic cars. (This informal usage is a separate meaning from "fiendish".)

Synonyms

• Diabolical: Of or like a devil; fiendish.
• Demonic: Relating to or characteristic of demons or evil spirits.
• Infernal: Relating to or characteristic of hell.
• Satanic: Extremely evil or wicked.
• Wicked: Evil or morally wrong.
• Malevolent: Having or showing a wish to do evil to others.

Antonyms

• Angelic: Of or relating to angels; exceptionally kind, pure, or beautiful.
• Benevolent: Well meaning and kindly.
• Saintly: Very holy or virtuous.

Related Phrases

• "a fiendish plot": An extremely wicked or complex plan.
  • The detective uncovered the criminal's fiendish plot.
• "fiendish difficulty": Extreme and often cunning complexity.
  • The final level of the game is of fiendish difficulty.

Adjective

1. 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