diabolical

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "diabolical" is correct and usable in written English.
It is an adjective used to describe an action or person that is very evil, wicked, or sinister. For example, you could say, "The cult leader's diabolical plan to take over the city was foiled."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In Cambridgeshire, he is diabolical and sinister and those who encounter him should look the other way, since his appearance is said to warn of a death in the family.

The Guardian - Travel

What Cantona did on Wednesday night was, of course, diabolical and inexcusable.

The Guardian - Sport

The words tend to be negative, such as "horrible" or "diabolical", and names of people we know.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Contrary to Hoey's belief, I don't do this because I have a diabolical love of anarchy.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

It just happens to be sympathy for a diabolical murderer".

The Guardian - Film

In the popular Netflix series House of Cards, the main character, a diabolical plotter by the name of Francis Underwood, is always lurking in corners, dropping hints about his cartoonishly evil plans.

The Guardian - Opinion

After that diabolical start NSW are ahead.

The Guardian - Sport

He dismissed the offer as a "diabolical" attempt to sabotage the planned merger of his company with J.D. Edwards, another software firm.But is Oracle's surprise bid on June 6th really just another example of the legendary recklessness of its boss, Larry Ellison?

The Economist

There is nothing diabolical about Mr Blair's luck.

The Economist

Since the demise of the brilliant amateurs who sleuthed for their own entertainment at the beginning of the last century, diabolical poisoners with complex motives have been strictly police work.

The Economist

The second school embraces poison pills and other defensive devices as a way to protect the primacy of the board's authority during takeovers; the first school scorns them as a diabolical way to thwart the will of shareholders.In this section Divorce Italian-style Racing certainty Champ or chump?

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To prevent overuse, consider using synonyms like "fiendish" or "nefarious" to add variety and maintain reader engagement. Each word provides a slightly different shade of meaning.

Common error

Avoid using "diabolical" to describe mildly unpleasant or frustrating situations; reserve it for scenarios involving genuine malice or evil. For example, instead of saying "the traffic was diabolical", opt for "terrible" or "awful".

Linguistic Context

The word "diabolical" functions primarily as an adjective, modifying nouns to describe something as extremely wicked, cruel, or characteristic of the devil. Ludwig AI confirms this with multiple examples showcasing its usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Encyclopedias

18%

Science

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "diabolical" is an adjective used to describe something extremely wicked or evil. As Ludwig AI suggests, its grammatical status is correct, and it's frequently employed in contexts such as news media, encyclopedias, and science. Its usage spans from formal to informal registers, depending on the surrounding context. Related phrases include "fiendish", "satanic", and "wicked", each carrying a slightly different nuance. When using "diabolical", it's important to reserve it for situations involving genuine malice and avoid overusing it in mildly negative contexts. Keep the context and intensity in mind to provide clarity to your readers.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

satanic

This word indicates a connection to Satan or the worship of evil, suggesting extreme wickedness and malevolence.

demonic

This term suggests possession by or influence of demons, often implying irrational and destructive behavior.

fiendish

This term emphasizes a more cunning and malicious aspect of evil, often associated with clever and cruel schemes.

malevolent

This emphasizes a deep-seated desire to cause harm or evil to others, focusing on the intent behind the action.

nefarious

This term highlights the extremely immoral, corrupt, or evil nature of an action or plan.

heinous

This word emphasizes the shockingly evil and reprehensible nature of a crime or act.

devilish

This term suggests a playful or mischievous wickedness, often used to describe behavior that is naughty but not necessarily harmful.

villainous

This term describes someone who acts as a villain, often with a focus on their intentional wrongdoing and disregard for others.

wicked

A general term for evil or morally wrong behavior, lacking the supernatural connotations of "diabolical".

atrocious

This term focuses on the shocking and extremely bad quality of something, often used to describe acts of violence or cruelty.

FAQs

How to use "diabolical" in a sentence?

Use "diabolical" to describe something extremely wicked or evil. For example, "The villain crafted a "diabolical scheme" to steal the treasure".

What can I say instead of "diabolical"?

You can use alternatives like "fiendish", "satanic", or "wicked" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "diabolical" in formal writing?

Yes, "diabolical" can be used in formal writing when describing something that is truly evil or extremely bad. Ensure the intensity of the word matches the context.

What is the difference between "diabolical" and "evil"?

"Diabolical" often implies a connection to the devil or supernatural forces, suggesting a greater degree of wickedness and intentional malice, while "evil" is a more general term for immorality and wrongness.