SADISM Synonyms: 63 Similar and Opposite Words

sadism

noun

ˈsā-ˌdi-zəm

Definition of sadism

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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Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of sadism Here, animals serve as vessels for our worst impulses, suffering at the point where curiosity turns to sadism, domination to cruelty, and self-interest to neglect. — Literary Hub, 9 June 2026 An extra-dark comedy that veers toward sadism, the film is saved by the chemistry and star power of Kathleen Turner and Michael Douglas (fresh off their Romancing the Stone series), with an assist from an excellent Danny DeVito. — Debby Wolfinsohn, Entertainment Weekly, 13 Apr. 2026 Over Your Dead Body is not for the faint of heart, but give or take a rape threat that crosses the line into smug sadism without quite seeming to realize it, the violence lands as more comically cartoonish than horrific. — Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 15 Mar. 2026 While often associated with extreme behavior, sub-clinical sadism manifests in more mundane ways, such as internet trolling or a fascination with violent video games. — Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 7 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for sadism

Recent Examples of Synonyms for sadism

Noun

Christopher Stefanou of Long Island is charged with animal cruelty and breaking rules about shark fishing, Cape & Islands District Attorney Robert Galibois said Wednesday.

— Neal Riley, CBS News, 21 Oct. 2026
Florida House Bill 559 recently created new guidelines to address animal cruelty across the state, including by allowing municipalities to increase fines and penalties.

— Joshua Ceballos, Miami Herald, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of cruelty

Noun

Dupuy-Spencer had a reputation for clear-eyed renderings of both the tenderness and the brutality of our world; here, darker forces prevail.

— Dan Stahl, New Yorker, 23 Oct. 2026
However, Gates, who resigned in the wake of the 1992 LA Riots, was also viewed as leaving a legacy of police brutality and racial tension.

— Tom Wait, CBS News, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of brutality

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saddling

sadism

sadistic

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“Sadism.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sadism. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of sadism

noun

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