sadistic
adjective
sa·dis·tic
sə-ˈdi-stik 
also sā-,
or sa-
: 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
The New YorkerFor my 41st birthday, an especially sadistic buddy gave me a video of me falling off my skateboard nearly 160 times.—Bret Anthony Johnston
Bret Anthony Johnston
sadistically
adverb
… in a gangster story realism requires that the hoods kill each other off and do so sadistically.
—Robert F. Moss
Robert F. Moss
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
Fans will be familiar with the sadistic obstacles in Cube, which have the same energy as Borderland’s games.
—Keith Langston, PEOPLE, 27 Sep. 2025
But at night, he was described as a sadistic killer who hunted for victims, offering to take their photograph before killing them.
—Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 27 Sep. 2025
Based on Haro Aso's manga of the same name, the Japanese sci-fi thriller takes viewers to a twisted version of Tokyo where players must survive sadistic games, each related to a suit from a deck of cards.
—Allison Degrushe, Entertainment Weekly, 26 Sep. 2025
Likewise, early hints at darker character flaws — like that Edward might become drunk on power or that Rafferty might have a sadistic streak — tend to dissipate as the characters grow or deepen.
—Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 25 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sadistic
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Keith Langston, PEOPLE, 27 Sep. 2025
But at night, he was described as a sadistic killer who hunted for victims, offering to take their photograph before killing them.
—Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 27 Sep. 2025
Based on Haro Aso's manga of the same name, the Japanese sci-fi thriller takes viewers to a twisted version of Tokyo where players must survive sadistic games, each related to a suit from a deck of cards.
—Allison Degrushe, Entertainment Weekly, 26 Sep. 2025
Likewise, early hints at darker character flaws — like that Edward might become drunk on power or that Rafferty might have a sadistic streak — tend to dissipate as the characters grow or deepen.
—Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 25 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sadistic
Cite this Entry
“Sadistic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sadistic. Accessed 6 Oct. 2025.
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