diabolical

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Product designers are coming up with novel ways to rouse deep sleepers that border on diabolical, including clocks that deliver 300-volt electric shocks and donate snoozers’ money to charity.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 6, 2026

Later, John and Paul attempt diabolical accents while relating the story of Count Balder and Felpin Mansions, “the eccentric son of Baron Landsberg, the inventor of the rack,” including a variety of sound effects.

From Salon • Dec. 23, 2025

"In the midst of the fear of my grandmother's health and well-being this was diabolical, this was shambolic, that the first person to contact me was describing this as a 'wee incident'."

From BBC • Dec. 18, 2025

“You needed her to be diabolical in order to show what really was happening there,” says Davidtz.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 9, 2025

The idea was to scare the beast, because that’s when it unleashed its diabolical flatulence.

From "The Inquisitor's Tale" by Adam Gidwitz