diabolism: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Formal, Literary, Theological
Quick answer
What does “diabolism” mean?
Belief in or worship of the Devil.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Belief in or worship of the Devil; the practice of sorcery or black magic.
Extreme wickedness or cruelty that seems devilish; a preoccupation with or representation of evil and the demonic.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant spelling or usage differences. Slightly more common in British historical/occult writing.
Connotations
Both carry strong negative connotations of evil and the supernatural.
Frequency
Very low frequency in both varieties; primarily found in academic, religious, or literary contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “diabolism” in a Sentence
The diabolism of [NP]accuse [NP] of diabolisma descent into diabolismVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “diabolism” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- (Not standard; verb form is 'to practise diabolism')
American English
- (Not standard; verb form is 'to practice diabolism')
adverb
British English
- (Not used; 'diabolically' is the adverbial form from 'diabolical')
American English
- (Not used; 'diabolically' is the adverbial form from 'diabolical')
adjective
British English
- The play's diabolic imagery shocked the Victorian audience.
- He was drawn to diabolic literature.
American English
- The film's diabolic imagery shocked the conservative critics.
- She studied diabolic symbolism in heavy metal.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used. Possible metaphorical use: 'The diabolism of their corporate espionage knew no bounds.'
Academic
Used in history, religious studies, and literature to describe historical witch-hunts, theological concepts, or themes in Gothic fiction.
Everyday
Extremely rare. Would sound archaic or excessively dramatic.
Technical
Specific term in theology and the study of esotericism/occultism.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “diabolism”
Strong
Neutral
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “diabolism”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “diabolism”
- Confusing with 'diabetic' (phonetically similar but unrelated).
- Using it as a synonym for general 'evil' without the supernatural/ritualistic connotation.
- Misspelling as 'diablolism'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
They are closely related. 'Diabolism' is a broader, often historical term for devil-worship and related black magic. Modern 'Satanism' is a more specific term for organized religious or philosophical movements.
Yes, in literary or rhetorical contexts. For example: 'The diabolism of the dictator's regime was evident in the systematic cruelty.' It emphasises a perceived supernatural or absolute evil.
They are synonyms meaning 'devilish' or 'extremely wicked.' 'Diabolical' is far more common in modern English, while 'diabolic' sounds slightly more formal or archaic.
Yes, such a person could be called a 'diabolist' (rare) or more commonly, a 'satanist,' 'witch,' or 'sorcerer.'
Belief in or worship of the Devil.
Diabolism is usually formal, literary, theological in register.
Diabolism: in British English it is pronounced /daɪˈæb.əl.ɪ.zəm/, and in American English it is pronounced /daɪˈæb.əˌlɪz.əm/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A Faustian bargain (related concept)”
- “In league with the devil (related concept)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'DIAbolism' – a DIAbolical ISM (belief system). Diabolical means devilish, and -ism is a belief or practice.
Conceptual Metaphor
EVIL IS A FORCE/RELIGION (e.g., 'the diabolism of the regime').
Practice
Quiz
In which context would the word 'diabolism' be LEAST appropriate?