Hellish: meaning, definitions and examples

Used to describe something extremely unpleasant or resembling hell.

• The conditions in the prison were hellish
• Her headache was hellish and wouldn't go away

Used to describe something very frightening or unpleasant, like a nightmare.

• Her experience during the trip was nightmarish
• The whole situation has been nightmarish from the start

Used to describe something related to hell; often used metaphorically for something very annoying or troublesome.

• The infernal noise kept me awake all night
• The project seemed like an infernal task

Used to describe something very bad, unpleasant, or of poor quality.

• The movie was dreadful and a waste of time
• He made a dreadful mistake at work

Used for emphasis when describing something extremely bad or shocking.

• The traffic was horrendous this morning
• They suffered horrendous injuries in the accident

Used to describe something that causes great horror or is extremely unpleasant.

• The crime scene was ghastly
• She wore a ghastly outfit to the party

Used to describe something extremely unpleasant or unbearable, resembling the conditions of hell.

• The weather was hellish, with relentless heat and humidity
• His experience in the abandoned house was hellish, filled with fear and discomfort

Used to describe something that is wickedly evil or cruel, often with a sense of cunning or intelligence.

• The criminal's plan was diabolical, involving a cunning sequence of events to evade capture
• The antagonist in the movie had a diabolical smile that sent chills down the spine

Used to describe something associated with Satan or extremely evil, often with a sense of dark ritual or malevolence.

• The cult's activities were described as satanic, involving disturbing rituals
• The horror movie depicted a satanic figure orchestrating sinister events

Used to describe a person or action that shows ill will, intending harm or evil towards others.

• She cast a malevolent glance at her rival, clearly wishing her ill
• The malevolent spirit haunted the house, causing mischief and fear

Used to describe someone or something morally wrong or evil, but can also be used colloquially to mean excellent or cool.

• The wicked witch cast a spell on the village
• He had a wicked sense of humor that lightened the mood
• Her performance in the play was wicked, impressing everyone

Used to describe someone who behaves like a villain, being cruel, evil, or morally reprehensible.

• The villainous character in the book was responsible for many heinous deeds
• His villainous actions ruined many lives