Satan

noun

Sa·​tan ˈsā-tᵊn 

1

: the angel who in Jewish belief is commanded by God to tempt humans to sin, to accuse the sinners, and to carry out God's punishment

2

: the rebellious angel who in Christian belief is the adversary of God and lord of evil

Synonyms

• archfiend
• Beelzebub
• devil
• fiend
• Lucifer
• Old Nick
• serpent

Examples of Satan in a Sentence

some people believe that Satan can successfully tempt almost anyone with lies and flattery

Recent Examples on the Web

The posts alleged world affairs were controlled by a vast conspiracy of Democrats – who also worshiped Satan and abused children – and that Trump was part of a secret plan to vanquish them. —Will Carless, USA TODAY, 7 Dec. 2024

With her husband’s cooperation, a coven of Devil-worshipping ghouls occupy an Upper West Side apartment building and conspire to have a young woman Rosemary (Mia Farrow) raped and impregnated by Satan himself. —Savannah Salazar, Vulture, 25 Nov. 2024

The ayatollahs in Iran regularly call Israel the 'Little Satan' and deploy a broad and well-equipped terrorist infrastructure against it. —Matt Robison, Newsweek, 21 Nov. 2024

Ledger gave us a Joker for this millennium, and turned the character into a mythical figure, like secular Satan, whose story Hollywood is addicted to retelling, for better or worse. —Rebecca Alter, Vulture, 4 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Old English, from Late Latin, from Greek, from Hebrew śāṭān adversary

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

Satan

noun

Sa·​tan ˈsāt-ᵊn 

: devil entry 1 sense 1

satanic

sə-ˈtan-ik

sā-

adjective

satanically

-ˈtan-i-k(ə-)lē

adverb

Etymology

Middle English Satan "Satan," from early French Satan (same meaning), from Latin Satan (same meaning), from Greek Satan "Satan," from Hebrew śāṭān "adversary"