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Sadism Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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sadism

[หˆseษชdษชz(ษ™)m ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

psychology

The tendency to derive pleasure, especially sexual gratification, from inflicting pain, suffering, or humiliation on others.

Synonyms

brutality, cruelty, inhumanity.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
sadism

Sadism refers to finding pleasure in causing pain or suffering to others, often in a sexual context but not exclusively. It has a strong negative connotation.

  • His actions were rooted in sadism, enjoying the suffering he inflicted.
  • The film depicted scenes of disturbing sadism.
cruelty

Cruelty is the act of causing pain or suffering to others, whether physical or emotional. It can be planned or spontaneous and usually involves a lack of empathy.

  • Her cruelty towards the animals was shocking.
  • The king's cruelty was infamous throughout the land.
inhumanity

Inhumanity refers to extremely cruel and barbaric behavior, showing a lack of human compassion or kindness. It is often used in the context of large-scale atrocities or systemic abuses.

  • The inhumanity of the genocide shocked the world.
  • His inhumanity was apparent in his disregard for human life.
brutality

Brutality is severe and unnecessary violence or aggression. It is often used to describe the harsh and violent actions of individuals or groups, such as police brutality or wartime brutality.

  • The police officer was accused of brutality during the protest.
  • The brutality of the war left lasting scars on the survivors.

Examples of usage

  • His sadism was evident in the way he enjoyed seeing others in pain.
  • The serial killer's sadism knew no bounds as he tortured his victims.
Context #2 | Noun

general

Extreme cruelty or brutality.

Synonyms

brutality, cruelty, inhumanity.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
sadism

This word is used when someone derives pleasure or excitement from inflicting pain, suffering, or humiliation on others.

  • His actions were clear examples of sadism as he seemed to enjoy making his captives suffer.
cruelty

This word refers to behavior that causes pain or suffering to others, either physically or emotionally. It doesnโ€™t necessarily imply that the person doing it enjoys the behavior.

  • Her cruelty towards animals was discovered when neighbors heard disturbing noises from her backyard.
  • He was known for his cruelty, often belittling his employees for his amusement.
inhumanity

This word is used to describe a lack of compassion or humanity; actions that are devoid of empathy. It usually refers to very severe acts of cruelty or brutality.

  • The inhumanity of the war crimes committed during the conflict was beyond comprehension.
  • Survivors spoke of the inhumanity they experienced in the concentration camps.
brutality

This word is commonly used to describe extreme violence or harsh treatment, often physical, and usually without justification.

  • The brutality of the police officers during the protest was widely condemned.
  • The brutality of the attack left the entire community in shock.

Examples of usage

  • The dictator ruled with an iron fist, his sadism affecting all those under his rule.
  • The movie depicted the sadism of war, showing the horrors faced by soldiers.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Origin of 'sadism'

The term 'sadism' originates from the name of the Marquis de Sade, an 18th-century French nobleman known for his writings that portrayed sexual cruelty and violence. De Sade's works were considered scandalous and he spent a significant portion of his life in prison or asylums due to his explicit and controversial content. Over time, the term 'sadism' has evolved to encompass not just sexual cruelty but also general enjoyment of inflicting pain on others.

See also: sad, sadden, saddened, sadder, sadist, sadly, sadness.

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #26,940, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.