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sadism

[sey-diz-uhm, sad-iz-] / ˈseɪ dɪz əm, ˈsæd ɪz- /
NOUN
perversion
Synonyms


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.

Of course we’ll free the hostages, we hate sadism!

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 9, 2025

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 • Aug. 26, 2024

Accusing her of cruelty and sadism without any proof, they appeared shortly after the Ukrainian army had liberated Kherson.

From BBC • Aug. 1, 2023

Accompanied by Marcelo Zarvos’s somber, dissonant score, “Emancipation” becomes a study in human sadism and endurance, with Smith delivering his French-inflected dialogue through gritted teeth and doleful, pain-weary eyes.

From Washington Post • Dec. 1, 2022

The world was full of fathers—was therefore full of misery; full of mothers—therefore of every kind of perversion from sadism to chastity; full of brothers, sisters, uncles, aunts—full of madness and suicide.

From "Brave New World" by Aldous Huxley




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