sadistic

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'sadistic' is a correct and commonly used word in written English.
It is used to describe someone who enjoys inflicting pain or suffering on others for their own pleasure. You can use it in various contexts, such as describing a person's behavior or actions, or in discussions about certain activities or events. Example: The villain in the movie was portrayed as a sadistic psychopath, relishing in the torture and torment of his victims. Example: The dictator's reign was marked by sadistic cruelty towards his citizens, causing widespread fear and misery.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Meanwhile Reg Wilson, who had committed a vile, sadistic murder and been diagnosed as a psychopath, said he believed hope was only for the weak.

The Guardian

It is surprising, however, that she took it away over Elisabeth Moss – nominated in this category for Top of the Lake, and elsewhere for Mad Men – and Jessica Lange, who was outstanding as American Horror Story's sadistic yet musical alcoholic nun.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Various pieces from the later 1970s and 80s include news accounts detailing sexual, sadistic violence against women.

The Guardian - Arts

Richard Whittam QC, prosecuting, told the judge Mrs Justice Cox that the murder "involved a sexual or sadistic motivation" and that Daynes faces a whole life term when he is sentenced on 12 January.

The Guardian

The traditions of sadistic brutality originate from the NKVD, the Soviet-era secret police, and are now serving corruption and political usurpation.

The Guardian - Opinion

Luke tries to escape multiple times, keeps his spirit under pressure from sadistic officers, never knows when he's beaten and is ultimately idolised by his fellow inmates.

The Guardian

They went on trial in 1966 and were described as "sadistic killers of the utmost depravity" when they were sentenced to life imprisonment.

The Guardian

I'm sure that this murder was driven by sadistic or sexual motivation".

The Guardian

Coulrophobia, a word only coined in the 1980s, took hold after 1990 film of Stephen King's novel It, featuring the sadistic clown Pennywise, who preyed on children (King's novel borrowed some elements from the real-life story of serial killer John Wayne Gacy, who had performed as Pogo the Clown).

The Guardian

Claude Chabrol's 1968 piece of total French art house madness, is the tale of sadistic bourgeoise Stéphane Audran's obsession with moody art student Jacqueline Sassard.

The Guardian - Film

The war against indiscipline was carried to "sadistic levels, glorying in the humiliation of a people," wrote the Nobel laureate for literature Wole Soyinka.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "sadistic" when you want to emphasize the pleasure someone derives from inflicting pain or suffering on others. Ensure that the context clearly supports this specific element of enjoyment.

Common error

Avoid using "sadistic" simply to describe harsh or cruel actions. The key distinction is the element of pleasure derived from inflicting pain, which must be evident to justify using this term.

Linguistic Context

The word "sadistic" functions primarily as an adjective. It modifies nouns to describe someone or something characterized by deriving pleasure from inflicting pain, suffering, or humiliation on others. Ludwig AI confirms its proper use.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The adjective "sadistic" effectively describes individuals or actions characterized by deriving pleasure from inflicting pain or suffering. Ludwig AI confirms that it is a correct and frequently used word, primarily functioning to negatively evaluate and condemn cruelty. While found across various contexts, it is most prevalent in neutral settings like news and media, aiming to objectively describe reprehensible behaviors without necessarily being emotional. Remember to use "sadistic" carefully, ensuring the context clearly demonstrates the element of pleasure derived from inflicting pain, to avoid misrepresenting simple cruelty or harshness. Alternatives such as "cruel", "brutal", and "vicious" may be more fitting in situations lacking the specific component of enjoying another's suffering.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cruel

Focuses on the general infliction of suffering, without necessarily implying pleasure.

brutal

Emphasizes the harshness and severity of the actions.

callous

Highlights the lack of empathy or concern for others' suffering.

inhuman

Suggests a level of cruelty that is beyond what is considered human.

vicious

Implies a malicious intent and a desire to harm.

merciless

Indicates a lack of compassion or forgiveness.

ruthless

Suggests a determination to achieve a goal without regard for the consequences or the suffering of others.

savage

Conveys a sense of wild, uncontrolled cruelty.

fiendish

Implies a wicked or evil nature, delighting in causing pain.

heartless

Focuses on the absence of emotional sensitivity towards others' suffering.

FAQs

How to use "sadistic" in a sentence?

The adjective "sadistic" describes someone who derives pleasure from inflicting pain, suffering, or humiliation on others. For example: "The movie villain was a "sadistic maniac" who enjoyed torturing his victims."

What can I say instead of "sadistic"?

Alternatives include "cruel", "brutal", or "vicious", depending on the nuance you want to convey. "Sadistic" specifically implies deriving pleasure from inflicting pain.

What's the difference between "sadistic" and "cruel"?

"Cruel" describes actions that cause pain or suffering, while "sadistic" describes someone who finds pleasure in inflicting that pain. A person can be cruel without being sadistic, but a sadistic person is always cruel.

Is "sadistic" always related to sexual behavior?

While "sadistic" can be associated with sexual behavior in the context of sadomasochism (S&M), it's not exclusively related to it. The term simply means deriving pleasure from inflicting pain, regardless of the context.