sadistic
adjective
sa·dis·tic
sə-ˈdi-stik 
also sā-,
or sa-
: of, relating to, or characterized by sadism
sadistic fantasies
: taking pleasure in the infliction of pain, punishment, or humiliation on others
a leg … sawed off in sections by a sadistic surgeon—
The New Yorker
The New YorkerFor my 41st birthday, an especially sadistic buddy gave me a video of me falling off my skateboard nearly 160 times.—Bret Anthony Johnston
Bret Anthony Johnston
sadistically
adverb
… in a gangster story realism requires that the hoods kill each other off and do so sadistically.
—Robert F. Moss
Robert F. Moss
Examples of sadistic in a Sentence
the troubled youth is being treated by a psychotherapist for his sadistic urges to hurt animals
Recent Examples on the Web
Bates played the sadistic owner and operator of the orphanage that provides a home — and not much else — to the titular little orphan (Alicia Morton).
—Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 15 Sep. 2025
The walk is presided over by its creator, a mysterious authoritarian figure known as the Major (Mark Hamill) who extolls the sadistic contest as a boon for the spirits of the impoverished American people.
—Megan McCluskey, Time, 12 Sep. 2025
Not only that, but this man was the most sadistic.
—Zach Dennis, Charlotte Observer, 9 Sep. 2025
The four friends have never been in more danger because Mauer is brilliant and sadistic.
—Mary Ann Grossmann, Twin Cities, 7 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sadistic
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Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 15 Sep. 2025
The walk is presided over by its creator, a mysterious authoritarian figure known as the Major (Mark Hamill) who extolls the sadistic contest as a boon for the spirits of the impoverished American people.
—Megan McCluskey, Time, 12 Sep. 2025
Not only that, but this man was the most sadistic.
—Zach Dennis, Charlotte Observer, 9 Sep. 2025
The four friends have never been in more danger because Mauer is brilliant and sadistic.
—Mary Ann Grossmann, Twin Cities, 7 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sadistic
Cite this Entry
“Sadistic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sadistic. Accessed 21 Sep. 2025.
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