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
Convinced that her sadistic ceremonies will transform him into a god, Clara draws Brighton into a hallucinatory descent into faith, flesh, and the sublime.
—
Alex Ritman, Variety, 16 Feb. 2026
That was Sokolowski’s introduction to a network of sadistic online extremists.
—Curt Devine, CNN Money, 10 Feb. 2026
Why cruise lines conduct safety drills Safety drills, also called muster drills, are not the brainchild of a sadistic cruise ship officer, trying to place obstacles between cruise guests and their sunbathing and cocktails.
—Erica Silverstein, Travel + Leisure, 31 Jan. 2026
Readers follow Carl and his ex-girlfriend's cat, Princess Donut, after an alien invasion destroys the Earth, forcing many of the survivors into a sadistic, deadly game show for an intergalactic audience.
—Christa Swanson, CBS News, 30 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for sadistic
Alex Ritman, Variety, 16 Feb. 2026
That was Sokolowski’s introduction to a network of sadistic online extremists.
—Curt Devine, CNN Money, 10 Feb. 2026
Why cruise lines conduct safety drills Safety drills, also called muster drills, are not the brainchild of a sadistic cruise ship officer, trying to place obstacles between cruise guests and their sunbathing and cocktails.
—Erica Silverstein, Travel + Leisure, 31 Jan. 2026
Readers follow Carl and his ex-girlfriend's cat, Princess Donut, after an alien invasion destroys the Earth, forcing many of the survivors into a sadistic, deadly game show for an intergalactic audience.
—Christa Swanson, CBS News, 30 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for sadistic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sadistic
Adjective
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Still, the timeline for elimination came as news to guard Josh Giddey in the locker room after Wednesday’s brutal 157-137 blowout loss to the Philadelphia 76ers.—
Julia Poe,
Chicago Tribune,
28 Mar. 2026
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Iran’s brutal regime retains a solid grip in Tehran, in Iraq through proxies, and in Lebanese society through Hezbollah.—
Nick Paton Walsh,
CNN Money,
27 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Some countries have laws administering what critics believe are cruel punishments or place undue restrictions on women and minorities.—
Rachel Royster,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
27 Mar. 2026
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While Tony coddles his own bruised ego, there is clearly a greater reason for the cruel hijinks, which comes in the form of some significant cash.—
David John Chávez,
Mercury News,
27 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Surrounded by vicious and violent hitmen that have been pressed into service as childcare, Juan Pablo must reckon with his father's crumbling power and find his own way in the world after his death.—
K. Thor Jensen,
PC Magazine,
27 Mar. 2026
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This vicious cycle increases until the energy is released essentially in an explosion.—
Phil Plait,
Scientific American,
27 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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The loss of books is minor, almost trivial, in light of all the horrors and violence unleashed by this senseless war, but the potential loss of these books is a sad reminder that we’re all affected and implicated in America’s savage flailings.—
James Folta,
Literary Hub,
17 Mar. 2026
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Conan O'Brien hit almost every note on Sunday — savage, playful, heartfelt and dumb.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
16 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Typewriters, stationery, fine-art museums, the quintessential impressionist painter—these are all associated with taste, beauty, and craft, as well as with intentionality and care, the opposite of the ruthless technological efficiency that repels many from generative AI.—
Matteo Wong,
The Atlantic,
25 Mar. 2026
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Even if the film doesn’t co-sign her ideology, Ursula is the most nuanced of the ruthless killers, and Gellar is adept at digging into the character’s ambiguity and shifting priorities.—
Louis Peitzman,
Vulture,
20 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Sadistic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sadistic. Accessed 31 Mar. 2026.
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