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
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
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
See All Example Sentences for sadism
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
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
See All Example Sentences for sadism
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sadism
Noun
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Perhaps the surprise return of Egghead Vance will turn it into symbol of resistance, seen at every demonstration against the cruelties and greed of the Trump machine.—
Miles Klee,
Rolling Stone,
25 June 2025
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Other laws set to take effect on July 1 in Florida include House Bill 255, establishing harsher penalties for animal cruelty, and House Bill 653, setting new aggravating factors when determining whether someone convicted of a capital felony should receive the death penalty.—
Jenna Sundel,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 June 2025
Noun
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What society in the world would not see its heart grow cold by such brutality?—
Thomas L. Friedman,
Mercury News,
14 June 2025
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Rather, its dignity and resilience will increase, and the Israeli entity will regret its barbarism and brutality.—
Tom O'Connor,
MSNBC Newsweek,
13 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Sadism.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sadism. Accessed 1 Jul. 2025.
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