sadistic

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.

Even Richard Nixon in his darkest, and sometimes drunken, moments had the good sense, or at least the protection afforded by his aides, to keep his most sadistic thoughts private.

From Salon • Apr. 8, 2026

He said a whole-life tariff could only be given in sadistic or sexual cases, those involving abduction or a high level of premeditation.

From BBC • Feb. 27, 2026

And no wonder: You needn’t work at a fashion magazine to relate to having a sadistic boss like Meryl Streep’s character in “The Devil Wears Prada.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 29, 2025

McGuire, who executed a trial run of this concept with a 2014 short film, knows exactly what he’s doing, scene after scene, especially when it comes to the deliciously sadistic grammar of suspense.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 5, 2024

And there are a lot of sadistic head teachers about.

From "Code Name Verity" by Elizabeth Wein