sadism

noun

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.

Examples of sadism in a Sentence

a troubled youth with a streak of sadism in him
Recent Examples on the Web Popular on Variety But Art the Clown takes the concept of enjoying homicidal sadism to new levels of sick-puppy insanity. Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 11 Oct. 2024 That’s a victory made all the more triumphant by the film’s moderately budget (it’s estimated around $3.5 million) and an ambitious commitment to pulling off some all-time theatrical sadism. Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 27 Sep. 2024 In contrast to most movies about serial killers, this one offers nary a glimpse of violence, let alone any wallowing in sadism. Dennis Harvey, Variety, 6 Sep. 2024 And so our hero crosses paths with his future patron and personal tormentor Harrison Lee Van Buren, who would be a monstrous caricature of capitalism’s worst perversities if not for the softness that Guy Pearce so gingerly laces into his sadism. David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 1 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for sadism 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'sadism.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary, from Marquis de Sade

First Known Use

1818, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of sadism was in 1818

Dictionary Entries Near sadism

Cite this Entry

“Sadism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sadism. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

sadism

noun
sa·​dism ˈsā-ˌdiz-əm How to pronounce sadism (audio)
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 How to pronounce sadism (audio)
 also  sā-
adjective

Medical Definition

sadism

noun
: 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 adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on sadism

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!