Fiendish — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

adjective /ˈfēn-dish/ fiend·ish

Meaning & Definition of Fiendish

Fiendish (adjective)

  1. perversely diabolical
  2. extremely cruel or wicked
  3. excessively bad, unpleasant, or difficult

Fiendish (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. of, relating to, or worthy of an evil spirit

    "a fiendish delight in playing cruel tricks"

    similar: cacodemonic, demoniac, demonian, demonic, devilish, diabolical, Luciferian, satanic
    related: hellish, infernal, baleful, evil, sinister, malevolent, malicious, malignant, heinous, monstrous, immoral, iniquitous, nefarious, vicious, vile, villainous, wicked, barbarous, cruel, ferocious, inhuman, savage
    opposite: angelic
    near: celestial, heavenly, beneficent, benevolent, benign, benignant, godly, holy, sainted, saintly, ethical, good, moral, righteous, virtuous

  2. having or showing the desire to inflict severe pain and suffering on others

    "shook with fiendish laughter as he watched his victims writhe in agony"

    similar: atrocious, barbaric, barbarous, brutal, brute, butcherly, cruel, heartless, inhuman, inhumane, sadistic, savage, truculent, vicious, wanton, red in tooth and claw
    related: hard-hearted, ironhearted, merciless, pitiless, ruthless, stonyhearted, unfeeling, fell, ferocious, grim, bloodthirsty, cutthroat, murderous, sanguinary, sanguine, catty, despiteful, hateful, malevolent, malicious, malign, malignant, mean, nasty, spiteful, vindictive, draconian, draconic, hardhanded, harsh, heavy-handed, oppressive
    opposite: benign, benignant, compassionate, good-hearted, humane, kind, kindhearted, sympathetic, tenderhearted
    near: tender, warm, warmhearted, charitable, clement, lenient, merciful, pitying, pacific, peaceable, peaceful

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Fiendish

The most common words with a similar meaning to Fiendish:

cacodemonic, demoniac, demonian, demonic, devilish, diabolical, Luciferian, satanic, atrocious, barbaric, barbarous, brutal, brute, butcherly, cruel, heartless, inhuman, inhumane, sadistic, savage, truculent, vicious, wanton, red in tooth and claw

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Fiendish

Words with the opposite meaning of Fiendish:

angelic, benign, benignant, compassionate, good-hearted, humane, kind, kindhearted, sympathetic, tenderhearted

Related Words for Fiendish

hellish, infernal, baleful, evil, sinister, malevolent, malicious, malignant, heinous, monstrous, immoral, iniquitous, nefarious, vile, villainous, wicked, ferocious, hard-hearted, ironhearted, merciless, pitiless, ruthless, stonyhearted, unfeeling, fell, grim, bloodthirsty, cutthroat, murderous, sanguinary

Near Antonyms of Fiendish

celestial, heavenly, beneficent, benevolent, godly, holy, sainted, saintly, ethical, good, moral, righteous, virtuous, tender, warm, warmhearted, charitable, clement, lenient, merciful, pitying, pacific, peaceable, peaceful

Word Forms of Fiendish

Derived words: fiendishly (adverb), fiendishness (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Fiendish

First known use: 1529

Frequently Asked Questions about Fiendish

What does "Fiendish" mean?

"Fiendish" means perversely diabolical. As an adjective, it is defined as: perversely diabolical. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Fiendish"?

Other words for "Fiendish" include cacodemonic, demoniac, demonian, demonic, devilish, diabolical, Luciferian and satanic. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Fiendish" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Fiendish"?

There are 69 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Fiendish". Common alternatives include cacodemonic, demoniac, demonian, demonic, devilish, diabolical, Luciferian, satanic, atrocious and barbaric.

What is the opposite of "Fiendish"?

Antonyms of "Fiendish" include angelic, benign, benignant, compassionate, good-hearted, humane, kind and kindhearted. Near antonyms include celestial, heavenly, beneficent and benevolent.

How do you use "Fiendish" in a sentence?

Examples of "Fiendish" in a sentence: "a fiendish delight in playing cruel tricks"; "shook with fiendish laughter as he watched his victims writhe in agony".

Is "Fiendish" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Fiendish" is an adjective.

How do you pronounce "Fiendish"?

"Fiendish" is pronounced /ˈfēn-dish/ and divided into syllables as fiend·ish.

What is the origin of the word "Fiendish"?

First known use: 1529.