sadism

noun

sa·​dism ˈsā-ˌdi-zəm  ˈsa- 

1

: the derivation of sexual gratification from the infliction of physical pain or humiliation on another person compare masochism, sadomasochism

2

a

: delight in cruelty

b

: extreme cruelty

Did you know?

What is the Difference Between the Words masochism & sadism?

Masochism and sadism are both about the enjoyment of pain. Masochism refers to the enjoyment of experiencing pain while sadism refers to the enjoyment of inflicting pain on someone else.

Interestingly, both masochism and sadism are eponymous words. English has thousands of such words, taken from the names of people both real and fictional. Masochism comes from the name of the 19th century German novelist, Leopold von Sacher-Masoch. It is unusual in that it began to be used during the lifetime of the man from whom it originated (Sacher-Masoch died in 1895, and masochism had been in printed use since 1892). Sadism comes from the name of the French writer, the Marquis de Sade (1740-1814).

The two words are not only often encountered in connection with one another, they have been combined into a single word, sadomasochism.

Synonyms

• atrociousness
• atrocity
• barbarity
• barbarousness
• brutality
• cruelness
• cruelty
• fiendishness
• heartlessness
• inhumanity
• inhumanness
• savageness
• savagery
• truculence
• viciousness
• wantonness

Examples of sadism in a Sentence

a troubled youth with a streak of sadism in him

Recent Examples on the Web

All circled the same themes: surveillance, body image, sadism, hyperfemininity, male (heterosexual) desire and women’s obligation to fulfill it. —Dayna Tortorici, New Yorker, 9 June 2025

The book’s a meld of true crime, memoir and social commentary, but with a mission: to shock readers into a deeper understanding of the American Nightmare, ecological devastation entwined with senseless sadism. —Hamilton Cain, Los Angeles Times, 5 June 2025

Examining the real reasons for this is less fun—and, for many, less profitable—than imagining that Hollywood is a front for ritualistic sadism. —Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 3 June 2025

Zephyr’s girlboss attitude doesn’t offset any of the sadism. —Esther Zuckerman, IndieWire, 17 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary, from Marquis de Sade

First Known Use

1818, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

sadism

noun

sa·​dism ˈsā-ˌdiz-əm 

ˈsad-ˌiz-

1

: abnormal behavior in which sexual pleasure is obtained by hurting another

2

a

: pleasure taken in cruelty

b

: very great cruelty

sadistic

sə-ˈdis-tik 

 also  sā-

adjective

Medical Definition

sadism

noun

sa·​dism ˈsā-ˌdiz-əm  ˈsad-ˌiz- 

: a sexual perversion in which gratification is obtained by the infliction of physical or mental pain on others (as on a love object) compare algolagnia, masochism

sadistic

sə-ˈdis-tik also sā- or sa-

adjective

sadistically

-ti-k(ə-)lē 

adverb