adjective

diabolic

dye-uh-BAH-lik/ˌdaɪəˈbɑlɪk/

Extremely wicked or unpleasant.

The figure's diabolic cruelty traps the songbird in confinement.

Devilish figure maliciously confining a songbird.

Etymology

diaGreekacross, through

+bolGreekto throw

+icGreekpertaining to

The Greek “throw across” verb also meant “slander”; its agent noun meant “accuser” and became a name for the Devil. The adjective consequently describes devilish or outrageously wicked behavior.

In context

The Reel Generation Gap0:12

the diabolic kid who who poisoned his dog

You'll Never Guess Who the REAL Killer Was in This Shocking Murder Mystery! (SPOILERS)

More examples

A diabolic headache keeps me awake all night.
The prisoners endure diabolic cruelty at the guards' hands.
The diabolic heat makes even a short walk exhausting.

Forms

diabolic

diabolically adverb — In an extremely wicked or unpleasant way.

Similar words

fiendish: Often emphasizes inventive cruelty or something exceptionally difficult.
devilish: Can suggest playful mischief rather than extreme wickedness.
atrocious: Emphasizes shocking badness or cruelty without suggesting the devil.