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sadism

noun
sa·​dism | \ ˈsā-ˌdi-zəm How to pronounce sadism (audio) , ˈsa-\

Definition of sadism

1 : the derivation of sexual gratification from the infliction of physical pain or humiliation on another person — compare masochism, sadomasochism
2a : delight in cruelty
b : excessive cruelty
Other Words from sadism Synonyms & Antonyms What is the Difference Between the Words masochism & sadism? Example Sentences Learn More about sadism

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What is the Difference Between the Words masochism & sadism?

Masochism and sadism are both about the enjoyment of pain. Masochism refers to the enjoyment of experiencing pain while sadism refers to the enjoyment of inflicting pain on someone else.

Interestingly, both masochism and sadism are eponymous words. English has thousands of such words, taken from the names of people both real and fictional. Masochism comes from the name of the 19th century German novelist, Leopold von Sacher-Masoch. It is unusual in that it began to be used during the lifetime of the man from whom it originated (Sacher-Masoch died in 1895, and masochism had been in printed use since 1892). Sadism comes from the name of the French writer, the Marquis de Sade (1740-1814).

The two words are not only often encountered in connection with one another, they have been combined into a single word, sadomasochism.

Examples of sadism in a Sentence

a troubled youth with a streak of sadism in him

Recent Examples on the Web

 The show portrays Lydia’s sadism but doesn’t really seem to comprehend it. — Sophie Gilbert, The Atlantic, "The Cruelty of Aunt Lydia," 13 July 2019 Before You for what seems like pure, unrelenting sociopathy; his casual sadism is appropriately chilling, if hardly nuanced. — Leah Greenblatt, EW.com, "Jennifer Kent's The Nightingale is a brutal, affecting frontier drama," 1 Aug. 2019 Tarantino’s pop sadism vents the undigested frustration of the juvenile mentality. — Armond White, National Review, "Tarantino’s Once Upon a Time … in Hollywood Is His Best Film," 26 July 2019 These, Forabosco says, include features such as aggression, sexuality, sadism and cynicism. — Giovanni Sabato, Scientific American, "What’s So Funny? The Science of Why We Laugh," 26 June 2019 Among random subjects tested for sadism, 38 percent enjoyed grinding live bugs, and 24 percent ground more bugs than recommended. — Rafil Kroll-zaidi, Harper's magazine, "Findings," 10 May 2019 According to Buzzfeed, the two bonded over BDSM, which stands for bondage, discipline, sadism, and masochism. — Blake Bakkila, Good Housekeeping, "Who Is Nicholas Godejohn? Inside Gypsy Rose Blanchard's Relationship With Her Mother's Killer," 3 Apr. 2019 And then there is the life and work of the studio in Montparnasse where Giacometti made his sitters pose for days at a time: a terrain of sadism, despair, but also total commitment. — Jason Farago, New York Times, "Giacometti: Beguiled by Thin Men and Women," 6 June 2018 Those who practice bondage, dominance, sadism and masochism (B.D.S.M.) have rules for protecting boundaries, safety and consent. — New York Times, "The Boundary Between Abuse and B.D.S.M.," 23 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'sadism.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of sadism

1818, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for sadism

International Scientific Vocabulary, from Marquis de Sade

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More Definitions for sadism

sadism

noun
How to pronounce sadism (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of sadism

: enjoyment that someone gets from being violent or cruel or from causing pain especially : sexual enjoyment from hurting or punishing someone

See the full definition for sadism in the English Language Learners Dictionary

sadism

noun
sa·​dism | \ ˈsā-ˌdiz-əm How to pronounce sadism (audio) , ˈsad-ˌiz- How to pronounce sadism (audio) \

Medical Definition of sadism

: a sexual perversion in which gratification is obtained by the infliction of physical or mental pain on others (as on a love object) — compare algolagnia, masochism

Other Words from sadism

sadistic \ sə-​ˈdis-​tik also sā-​ or sa-​ \ adjective
sadistically \ -​ti-​k(ə-​)lē How to pronounce sadistically (audio) \ adverb

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More from Merriam-Webster on sadism

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with sadism

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for sadism

Spanish Central: Translation of sadism

Nglish: Translation of sadism for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about sadism

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