SKIP TO CONTENT

demonic

/dɪˈmɑnɪk/
/dɪˈmɒnɪk/
IPA guide

Other forms: demonically

Demonic is a word to describe behavior or people who are extremely evil or cruel.

It helps to understand this word if you know a demon is a creature of hell. Demonic has that same kind of hellish, diabolical, fiendish, infernal, satanic, unholy quality. This word should not be used lightly. Stealing a candy bar, though wrong, is not demonic. Truly evil behavior, like being a serial killer, is more likely to be described as demonic. In superhero movies, the supervillains are likely to be demonic, since they are more evil than common storybook villains.

Definitions of demonic
  1. adjective
    extremely evil or cruel; expressive of cruelty or befitting hell
    “something demonic in him--something that could be cruel”
    evil
    morally bad or wrong
Cite this entry
Style:
MLA
  • MLA
  • APA
  • Chicago

Copy citation
DISCLAIMER: These example sentences appear in various news sources and books to reflect the usage of the word ‘demonic'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Vocabulary.com or its editors. Send us feedback
Word Family