Synonyms of sadism

sadism

noun

ˈsā-ˌdi-zəm 

as in cruelty

disposition to willfully inflict pain and suffering on others

a troubled youth with a streak of sadism in him

Synonyms & Similar Words

• cruelty
• brutality
• savagery
• atrocity
• barbarity
• inhumanity
• heartlessness
• savageness
• cruelness
• viciousness
• murderousness
• fiendishness
• wantonness
• barbarousness
• truculence
• ruthlessness
• inhumanness
• mercilessness
• atrociousness
• meanness
• pitilessness
• ferocity
• grimness
• bloodthirstiness
• malevolence
• oppressiveness
• bloodlust
• ferociousness
• fierceness
• spitefulness
• maliciousness
• hatefulness
• malignity
• hard-heartedness
• sanguinity
• unfeelingness
• fellness
• harshness
• nastiness
• cattiness
• sanguineness
• heavy-handedness
• despitefulness
• hardhandedness

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• sympathy
• compassion
• humanity
• kindness
• humaneness
• tenderness
• benignity
• warmth
• tenderheartedness
• kindheartedness
• warmness
• good-heartedness
• pity
• mercy
• leniency
• clemency
• warmheartedness
• charitableness
• mercifulness

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of sadism

While often associated with extreme behavior, sub-clinical sadism manifests in more mundane ways, such as internet trolling or a fascination with violent video games. — Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 7 Feb. 2026

The series begins before Gein has ever killed, in 1945, as dawning awareness of death camps in Europe fills the air with sadism and conspiracy thinking. — Daniel D'addario, Variety, 30 Sep. 2025

The invading parasite is a culture of hate and paranoia and sadism — mass hysteria as sanctioned by the government that is supposed to protect you. — Rachel Raposas, PEOPLE, 29 Sep. 2025

Humor responds to a misfortune with sadism and schadenfreude. — Big Think, 23 Sep. 2025