sadistic

adjective

sa·​dis·​tic sə-ˈdi-stik How to pronounce sadistic (audio)
also sā-
or sa-
Synonyms of sadisticnext
: of, relating to, or characterized by sadism
sadistic fantasies
: taking pleasure in the infliction of pain, punishment, or humiliation on others
… a leg … sawed off in sections by a sadistic surgeon …—The New Yorker
For my 41st birthday, an especially sadistic buddy gave me a video of me falling off my skateboard nearly 160 times.—Bret Anthony Johnston
sadistically
sə-ˈdi-sti-k(ə-)lē How to pronounce sadistic (audio)
also sā-
or sa-
adverb
… in a gangster story realism requires that the hoods kill each other off and do so sadistically. —Robert F. Moss

Synonyms of sadistic

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Examples of sadistic in a Sentence

the troubled youth is being treated by a psychotherapist for his sadistic urges to hurt animals
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 76ers didn’t even desperately need him, which makes Myers waltzing into free agency and pulling off this casual heist even more delightfully sadistic. — Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 24 July 2026 With the franchise’s trademark blend of extreme gore and dark humor, the Evil Dead backstory centers on the ancient Book of the Dead that unleashes supernatural evil forces and twists victims into sadistic, shape-shifting, near-invincible monsters. — Brady MacDonald, Oc Register, 21 July 2026 Woody and Buzz have survived sadistic neighbors, evil toys and tyrannical daycare rulers. — Rachel Hale, USA Today, 26 June 2026 In Dungeon Crawler Carl, written for television by film, TV and comic book writer Chris Yost, an alien invasion has wiped out most of humanity and any survivors are forced to fight for their lives on a sadistic intergalactic game show. — Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 18 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for sadistic

Word History

First Known Use

1892, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of sadistic was in 1892

Rhymes for sadistic

See All Rhymes for sadistic

Browse Nearby Words

sadist
sadistic
saditty
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Cite this Entry

“Sadistic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sadistic. Accessed 25 Jul. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of sadistic for Spanish Speakers

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