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
-
The new law adds to existing municipal ordinances that forbid animal cruelty or neglect, including leaving a pet in too small of a space or outside in the hot Florida sun.—
Shira Moolten,
Sun Sentinel,
3 July 2025
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The record got its name from a title track that comes mid-album, a plucky, haunting Americana song that explores the ties between love and cruelty.—
Audrey Gibbs,
The Tennessean,
2 July 2025
Noun
-
Kenya’s biggest cities have been roiled for days by protesters demonstrating against stagnating growth, soaring inequality, and police brutality.—
semafor.com,
semafor.com,
11 July 2025
-
The entire world needs to stand up and condemn the severe incident, which again reveals the brutality of Hamas.—
Zach LaChance,
The Washington Examiner,
6 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Sadism.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sadism. Accessed 19 Jul. 2025.
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