as in cruelty
disposition to willfully inflict pain and suffering on others
a troubled youth with a streak of sadism in him
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Recent Examples of sadism
Zephyr’s girlboss attitude doesn’t offset any of the sadism.
—
Esther Zuckerman, IndieWire, 17 May 2025
Still, weapon damage lacks spice — the over-the-top comic sadism and gore that made DOOM Eternal a constant joy is muted.
—Matt Gardner, Forbes.com, 12 May 2025
But any idealism he’s held onto is now coupled with sadism.
—Keith Phipps, Vulture, 5 May 2025
Still, the sadism of the show’s fictional world finds ample comparisons in our own.
—Moira Donegan, New Yorker, 11 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sadism
Esther Zuckerman, IndieWire, 17 May 2025
Still, weapon damage lacks spice — the over-the-top comic sadism and gore that made DOOM Eternal a constant joy is muted.
—Matt Gardner, Forbes.com, 12 May 2025
But any idealism he’s held onto is now coupled with sadism.
—Keith Phipps, Vulture, 5 May 2025
Still, the sadism of the show’s fictional world finds ample comparisons in our own.
—Moira Donegan, New Yorker, 11 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sadism
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sadism
Noun
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The driver was booked into the Sacramento County Main Jail on suspicion of DUI and two counts of willful cruelty to a child.—
Cathie Anderson,
Sacbee.com,
12 Aug. 2025
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Norwalk police on April 22 arrested her on one count of animal cruelty, records show.—
Justin Muszynski,
Hartford Courant,
6 Aug. 2025
Noun
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The spectacle was carried out with breathtaking emptiness, revealing American values while glorifying Putin’s brutality.—
Andy J. Semotiuk,
Forbes.com,
17 Aug. 2025
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The city has previously denied using tows to make money and has denied claims that Furman was engaged in police brutality, noting he was investigated by Michigan State Police in one incident but cleared.—
Tresa Baldas,
Freep.com,
8 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Sadism.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sadism. Accessed 21 Aug. 2025.
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