sadism

[sey-diz-uhm, sad-iz-]

noun

1. Psychiatry.,  the condition in which sexual gratification depends on causing pain or degradation to others.

2. any enjoyment in being cruel.

3. extreme cruelty.

sadism

/ ˈseɪdɪzəm, ˈsæ-, səˈdɪstɪk /

noun

1. the gaining of pleasure or sexual gratification from the infliction of pain and mental suffering on another person See also algolagnia Compare masochism

sadism

1. Abnormal behavior characterized by deriving sexual gratification from inflicting pain on others. More loosely, sadism refers to deriving any pleasure from inflicting pain. Named after the Marquis de Sade, a French author of the eighteenth century, whose works describe many sexual perversities.

Other Word Forms

• sadist noun
• sadistic adjective
• sadistically adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of sadism¹

First recorded in 1885–90; from French sadisme; Sade, -ism

Word History and Origins

Origin of sadism¹

C19: from French, named after the _{Marquis de Sade}

Example Sentences

Jonsson’s Andy fluctuates along that spectrum, stopping short of David’s contempt and sadism in his upgraded self, but never approaching Bishop’s level of humanity.

From Salon

Yet his behavior and policies — which are rooted in political sadism and a lust for unchecked power — tell a different story.

From Salon

This sadism, she said, felt like an act of “revenge.”

From Salon

All of this is well-suited to generating video footage to satisfy the sadism of Fox News viewers, but it’s not really about stopping crime.

From Salon

Negative partisanship, echo chambers, the dark triad, propaganda, pathocracy and political sadism are just a few.

From Salon

Related Words

• malice