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
The incident allegedly occurred between two consenting adults during what appears to be bondage, discipline, dominance, submission, sadism, and masochism — more commonly referred to as BDSM.
—
Teri Figueroa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Mar. 2025
After reporters used a 1987 White House photo opportunity to shout questions to Reagan about the Iran-Contra scandal, Simpson accused them of sadism.
—Alistair Bell, USA TODAY, 14 Mar. 2025
The Nazis’ sadism is displayed when Lange orders a prisoner to play his violin.
—Frank Scheck, The Hollywood Reporter, 13 Mar. 2025
Gaiman's representatives have responded to some outlets, claiming the incidents were consensual and instances of practicing BDSM (bondage, discipline/dominance, submission/sadism and masochism).
—Taijuan Moorman, USA TODAY, 13 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sadism
Teri Figueroa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Mar. 2025
After reporters used a 1987 White House photo opportunity to shout questions to Reagan about the Iran-Contra scandal, Simpson accused them of sadism.
—Alistair Bell, USA TODAY, 14 Mar. 2025
The Nazis’ sadism is displayed when Lange orders a prisoner to play his violin.
—Frank Scheck, The Hollywood Reporter, 13 Mar. 2025
Gaiman's representatives have responded to some outlets, claiming the incidents were consensual and instances of practicing BDSM (bondage, discipline/dominance, submission/sadism and masochism).
—Taijuan Moorman, USA TODAY, 13 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sadism
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sadism
Noun
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Currently there are no comprehensive animal cruelty laws in China, which experts say has created a culture of impunity among cat torturers.—
Rebecca Wright,
CNN Money,
30 May 2025
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That's why the spectacular cruelty with which the cuts were carried out tanked Musk's personal brand and triggered Trump's inexorable decline in approval.—
Newsweek Staff,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 May 2025
Noun
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Trump’s allusions to police brutality – the very thing demonstrators were protesting – only seemed to rile them and underscore what was at stake.—
Chelsea Bailey,
CNN Money,
24 May 2025
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The jury has seen his brutality in the harrowing video at the InterContinental Hotel and photographs of her injuries.—
Elizabeth Geddes,
Rolling Stone,
23 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Sadism.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sadism. Accessed 5 Jun. 2025.
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