as in brutal
having or showing the desire to inflict severe pain and suffering on others
the troubled youth is being treated by a psychotherapist for his sadistic urges to hurt animals
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Recent Examples of sadistic
The devastating, almost sadistic hold Ruben exerts over the mostly masochistic Niall is gripping — but hard — to watch.
—
Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 24 Apr. 2026
But when a sadistic local (Taron Egerton) begins terrorizing her, a frantic chase ensues.
—ABC News, 17 Apr. 2026
This new docuseries explores the intrepid work of former fundamentalist Christine Marie and videographer Tolga Katas in bringing down the sect's sadistic leader, Samuel Bateman.
—Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 8 Apr. 2026
Like some sadistic Greek myth, I was granted my freedom but sentenced this barrage of questions for the foreseeable future.
—Jeremy O. Harris, Vanity Fair, 1 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for sadistic
Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 24 Apr. 2026
But when a sadistic local (Taron Egerton) begins terrorizing her, a frantic chase ensues.
—ABC News, 17 Apr. 2026
This new docuseries explores the intrepid work of former fundamentalist Christine Marie and videographer Tolga Katas in bringing down the sect's sadistic leader, Samuel Bateman.
—Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 8 Apr. 2026
Like some sadistic Greek myth, I was granted my freedom but sentenced this barrage of questions for the foreseeable future.
—Jeremy O. Harris, Vanity Fair, 1 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for sadistic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sadistic
Adjective
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The creature-feature horror film plunges into the jungles of the Dominican Republic, where a group of road workers battling brutal conditions encounter the Ciguapa — a terrifying figure from local folklore with backward feet and the power to possess men through her gaze.—
Anna Marie de la Fuente,
Variety,
15 May 2026
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Anyone familiar with the show knows what comes next probably won't be pretty, but even diehard fans will be shocked by how brutal Scattered Hopes can be.—
Ian Stokes,
Space.com,
15 May 2026
Adjective
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In Sylvie’s imagination, Nita becomes Anna, a sultry beauty with a cruel streak who has been dating the meek Christophe (Niney) while secretly engaging in an affair with their married boss, Pierre (Cassel).—
Alison Willmore,
Vulture,
15 May 2026
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The first major climb of any Grand Tour is usually a cruel dose of reality — where teams, having built around a rider over the previous week, suddenly realise those sacrifices might have been in vain.—
Jacob Whitehead,
New York Times,
15 May 2026
Adjective
-
The story follows a Lebanese family caught in debts and schemes that drag them in a vicious cycle that tests their unity.—
Elsa Keslassy,
Variety,
13 May 2026
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But the score was a costly one since the penalty that sent up the goal — a vicious hit from defenseman Brayden McNabb — knocked Ducks forward Ryan Poehling out of the game.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
13 May 2026
Adjective
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Critic Rex Reed, who died Tuesday at 87, built his career on savage, acerbic reviews delivered with little restraint, earning a reputation as a provocateur.—
Theater Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
12 May 2026
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Initially a beachy utopia where the children run free among nature, things become increasingly savage as help appears to be ever further away.—
Connor Sturges,
Condé Nast Traveler,
6 May 2026
Adjective
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When a ruthless despot steals a billion-dollar fortune, the team is sent to steal it back on what would be for anyone else a suicide mission.—
Anthony D'Alessandro,
Deadline,
14 May 2026
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Assayas offers anecdotes, a feuilleton of tyranny in which the foibles of the mighty and the ruthless reveal the sentimental side of cruelty, the amusement value of ugly deeds, and the polite side of monstrous ideas.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
13 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Sadistic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sadistic. Accessed 18 May. 2026.
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