Sadism: meaning, definitions and examples
๐
sadism
[ หseษชdษชz(ษ)m ]
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?
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.
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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.
|
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.
|
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.
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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.
general
Extreme cruelty or brutality.
Synonyms
brutality, cruelty, inhumanity.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
Word | Description / Examples |
---|---|
sadism |
This word is used when someone derives pleasure or excitement from inflicting pain, suffering, or humiliation on others.
|
cruelty |
This word refers to behavior that causes pain or suffering to others, either physically or emotionally. It doesnโt necessarily imply that the person doing it enjoys the behavior.
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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.
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brutality |
This word is commonly used to describe extreme violence or harsh treatment, often physical, and usually without justification.
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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
Translations of the word "sadism" in other languages:
๐ต๐น sadismo
๐ฎ๐ณ เคธเฅเคกเคฟเคเคผเฅเคฎ
๐ฉ๐ช Sadismus
๐ฎ๐ฉ sadisme
๐บ๐ฆ ัะฐะดะธะทะผ
๐ต๐ฑ sadyzm
๐ฏ๐ต ใตใใฃใบใ (sadizumu)
๐ซ๐ท sadisme
๐ช๐ธ sadismo
๐น๐ท sadizm
๐ฐ๐ท ์ฌ๋์ฆ (sadijeum)
๐ธ๐ฆ ุณุงุฏูุฉ (sadฤซya)
๐จ๐ฟ sadismus
๐ธ๐ฐ sadizmus
๐จ๐ณ ่ๅพ ็ (nรผรจdร ikuรกng)
๐ธ๐ฎ sadizem
๐ฎ๐ธ sadismi
๐ฐ๐ฟ ัะฐะดะธะทะผ
๐ฌ๐ช แกแแแแแแ (sadizmi)
๐ฆ๐ฟ sadizm
๐ฒ๐ฝ sadismo
Etymology
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.
- ...
- 26937 unrelieved
- 26938 misspelled
- 26939 litigating
- 26940 sadism
- 26941 squeaking
- 26942 sidelong
- 26943 mown
- ...