1
as in demonic
of, relating to, or worthy of an evil spirit
a fiendish delight in playing cruel tricks
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in brutal
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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.
Recent Examples of fiendish
Mason Alexander Park brings a David Bowie-ish quality to St. Jimmy, Johnny’s fiendish drug dealer.
—
Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times, 11 Oct. 2024
The favorite characters return, their fiendish traits on full display.
—Vogue, 19 July 2024
But commercializing nuclear fusion still remains a long way off as scientists work to solve fiendish engineering and scientific difficulties.
—Laura Paddison, CNN, 1 Apr. 2024
In the 1940s, the deviled egg was a cocktail party staple and today the fiendish eggs are still a potluck favorite.
—Sarah Mosqueda, Los Angeles Times, 28 Mar. 2024
See all Example Sentences for fiendish 
Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times, 11 Oct. 2024
The favorite characters return, their fiendish traits on full display.
—Vogue, 19 July 2024
But commercializing nuclear fusion still remains a long way off as scientists work to solve fiendish engineering and scientific difficulties.
—Laura Paddison, CNN, 1 Apr. 2024
In the 1940s, the deviled egg was a cocktail party staple and today the fiendish eggs are still a potluck favorite.
—Sarah Mosqueda, Los Angeles Times, 28 Mar. 2024
See all Example Sentences for fiendish
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fiendish
Adjective
-
Set in Europe during the Dark Ages, the story sees hordes from Hell invading Europe when the Six Petals, a secret sect of the Knights Templar, pray to God to drive back the demonic scourge.—
Borys Kit,
The Hollywood Reporter,
21 Jan. 2025
-
Charismatic Christian nationalists tend to use the language of prophecy and demonic possession amid calls for God’s direct and immediate intervention in society.—
Liam Adams,
USA TODAY,
13 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
Softening up the schedule in November and December is self-preservation for 18 brutal league games in January and February.—
Sabreena Merchant,
The Athletic,
24 Jan. 2025
-
Rookie quarterback Caleb Williams endured a brutal season, getting sacked a league-high 68 times in 2024, much of which was attributed to Morgan's coaching.—
John Yoo and John Shu,
Newsweek,
24 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
The Alaska story represents Perkins’ tireless brainstorming of ways to help and also, perhaps, her blind spot to a more sinister history of American settler colonialism.—
Sara Georgini,
Smithsonian Magazine,
21 Jan. 2025
-
After Season 1 introduced viewers to the offbeat, sinister world of Lumon Industries, the Innies that make up its workforce, and the Outies compartmentalizing their lives, Season 2 is now unfolding deeper, stranger intricacies that speak to how corporations deal with dissenters.—
Harrison Richlin,
IndieWire,
19 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
Cutting off people from healthcare, childcare, and other services is cruel.—
Jonathan Granoff,
Newsweek,
29 Jan. 2025
-
Banek has requested the Illinois Department of Public Health probe the cruel death, also asking that all evidence associated with the case be preserved.—
Charles Selle,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
The roughest angle to imposter syndrome seems to be a potentially vicious cycle that can ensue.—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes,
23 Jan. 2025
-
Social media lit up with outrage directed toward Jubilee for giving voice to a vicious troll.—
Spencer Kornhaber,
The Atlantic,
23 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
As savage Arctic cold was getting ready to surge south across North America, vivid imagery based on data from weather models showed us what was going to happen.—
Tom Yulsman,
Discover Magazine,
27 Dec. 2022
-
The 2023 grand marshal is former Arizona Democratic congresswoman Gabby Giffords, gravely wounded in a savage mass shooting in 2011 that also killed six people.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
27 Dec. 2022
Adjective
-
The narrative follows a diabolical criminal targeting elite businessmen in Madrid, capturing and cruelly torturing them, investigators hot on the case.—
Holly Jones,
Variety,
22 Oct. 2024
-
Ellen’s entire life has been a nightmare, haunted by Orlok and his diabolical lust.—
Erik Kain,
Forbes,
29 Dec. 2024
Adjective
-
They are expected to manage the roster with a little more thought paid to player welfare and a little less thought paid to marginal gains and ruthless efficiency.—
Andrew Baggarly,
The Athletic,
30 Jan. 2025
-
Here's the idea: Buried deep within Starfleet exists an anonymous, ruthless intelligence agency that operates out of sight of most Federation citizens and Starfleet officers.—
Ars Technica,
Ars Technica,
28 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near fiendish
Cite this Entry
“Fiendish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fiendish. Accessed 2 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share