Fiendishly: meaning, definitions and examples

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fiendishly

 

[ ˈfiːndɪʃli ]

Adverb
Context #1 | Adverb

degree of difficulty

Fiendishly is an adverb that describes something done in a wickedly clever or extremely difficult manner. It's often used to characterize challenges or tasks that are both intricate and require a high level of skill or intelligence. The term has a connotation of being delightfully or surprisingly tricky, often evoking a sense of admiration for the complexity involved. It can also imply a sense of malevolence or mischief, depending on the context in which it's used.

Synonyms

devilishly, satanically, wickedly

Examples of usage

  • The puzzle was fiendishly difficult to solve.
  • He devised a fiendishly clever plan.
  • The exam questions were designed fiendishly to mislead students.
  • The game features fiendishly challenging levels.

Translations

Translations of the word "fiendishly" in other languages:

🇵🇹 diabolicamente

🇮🇳 शैतानी तरीके से

🇩🇪 teuflisch

🇮🇩 dengan jahat

🇺🇦 диявольськи

🇵🇱 diabolicznie

🇯🇵 悪魔のように

🇫🇷 diaboliquement

🇪🇸 diabólicamente

🇹🇷 şeytanca

🇰🇷 악마같이

🇸🇦 بشكل شيطاني

🇨🇿 ďábelsky

🇸🇰 diabolsky

🇨🇳 恶魔般地

🇸🇮 hudičevo

🇮🇸 djöflalega

🇰🇿 жындық түрде

🇬🇪 ეშმაკურად

🇦🇿 şeytanca

🇲🇽 diabólicamente

Etymology

The word 'fiendishly' derives from the noun 'fiend', which has its roots in Old English 'fēond', meaning 'enemy' or 'demon'. The term has evolved over centuries to describe a malevolent spirit or one who acts wickedly. 'Fiend' is related to the concept of being an adversary or foe, culminating in the adverb 'fiendishly', which implies an action that is done in the manner of a fiend. The transformation from the notion of an enemy to the description of cunningness reflects deeper themes in literature and folklore where cleverness is hidden behind a malevolent façade. This word became popular in colloquial English literature to depict entities or scenarios characterized by an intense level of malevolence or cunning creativity, especially in puzzles and criminal masterminds, making it a rich addition to the English lexicon.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #37,468, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.