NYT Dictionary

DIABOLICAL

[ˌdaɪəˈbɑlɪkəɫ]
Adjectivedi-a-BOL-i-caldi-a-bol-i-cal · 5 syllablesGrade 7

Accepted in official NYT Spelling Bee puzzle years: 2020, 2023, 2025

Meaning

Of or concerning the devil: devilish, satanic.

Etymology

Origin: Middle English

Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *dwóh₁ ▲ Proto-Indo-European *trísinflu. Proto-Indo-European *dwísder. Ancient Greek διά (diá) Ancient Greek δια- (dia-) Proto-Indo-European *gʷelH-der. Proto-Hellenic *gʷəlnō Ancient Greek βάλλω (bállō) Ancient Greek διαβάλλω (diabállō) Ancient Greek διάβολος (diábolos) Proto-Indo-European *-kos Proto-Hellenic *-kos Ancient Greek -κός (-kós) Ancient Greek -ικός (-ikós) Koine Greek διαβολικός (diabolikós)bor. Late Latin diabolicusbor. Middle French diaboliquebor. Middle English diabolik English diabolic English -al English diabolical From diabolic + -al.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

daemonicaldemonicdiabolicbanefulmalevolentmaliciousbarbarousbowellessbrutalcompassionless

Antonyms

angelicdivineundemonicundevilishundiabolicalunsatanicnondemonicnondiabolicnonsatanic

NYT Puzzle Appearances

Accepted in 2 recorded puzzles, including a pangram:

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