demonic

adjective

de·​mon·​ic di-ˈmä-nik How to pronounce demonic (audio)
dē-
variants or less commonly demonical
: of, relating to, or suggestive of a demon : fiendish
demonic cruelty
demonic laughter
demonically adverb

Examples of demonic in a Sentence

the villain in the movie cackled with demonic laughter
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The story follows the three Maxwell siblings who grew up as the only Black family in a gated Dallas neighborhood, also tormented by strange and unexplainable demonic happenings in their house. Clare Mulroy, USA TODAY, 21 Mar. 2025 The television version follows Michael Sheen and David Tennant in the shoes of the angelic Aziraphale and the demonic Crowley. Brian Tallerico, Vulture, 18 Mar. 2025 In Japanese culture, Sanshi are demonic creatures living inside the human body and trying to hasten the death of their host. Simon Thompson, Forbes, 14 Mar. 2025 One moment the mother is making dinner and the next a demonic creature has grabbed her ankle, pulling her into the basement. Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 12 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for demonic

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Late Latin daemonicus, borrowed from Greek daemonikós, from daimon-, daímōn "superhuman power, spirit intermediate between gods and humans, demon" + -ikos -ic entry 1

First Known Use

1642, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of demonic was in 1642

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Demonic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/demonic. Accessed 25 Mar. 2025.

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