sadism
noun
the condition in which sexual gratification depends on causing pain or degradation to others.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
"Innocent, moments before the great corruption," Miss Havisham intones, smiling sadistically a few beats later as she adds, "So, a common boy and a proud pretty girl. I want to watch you play."
From Salon ● Mar. 27, 2023
Having served time herself, Clyde hires formerly incarcerated workers under the pretense of giving them a break when, in reality, she sadistically enjoys playing warden.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jan. 6, 2022
Observing me quail at the prospect of more, he plied me sadistically with an enmolada whose red mole contained the rarest, most expensive of all chiles: chilhuacle — stout, triangular and of impossible smokiness.
From New York Times ● Nov. 11, 2021
This guy is either not talking about his arrangement with his girlfriend because he doesn’t want to explicitly own up to cheating, or he’s in an open arrangment and sadistically withholding that information from you.
From Slate ● Sep. 21, 2020
His vision blurred but he managed to see that Paula was still at the bar sipping a drink, sadistically enjoying the whole show.
From The Observers by G. L. Vandenburg
