adjective
infernal
in-FUR-nul/ɪnˈfɜːrnl/
Of hell and its imagined torments.
The painting shows lost souls surrounded by infernal flames.
Etymology
The “lower world” meant the abode of the dead, giving infernal its association with Hell. The extended sense “devilish, hateful” connects that image to something extremely annoying.
In context
We should know that the devil had carried him off. But no such supernatural intervention of the infernal powers could be supposed in Marcello's case
More examples
- The poem describes an infernal realm ruled by devils.
- Demons inflict infernal torments on the damned in this story.
- The mural depicts an angel rescuing souls from the infernal pit.
Forms
infernal
Similar words
- hellish
- Describes hell itself or suffering and horror resembling it.
- demonic
- Relates specifically to demons rather than to hell itself.