Sadist: meaning, definitions and examples

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sadist

[ˈseɪdɪst ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

psychology

A person who derives pleasure from inflicting pain or humiliation on others, often with a sexual connotation.

Synonyms

cruel person, masochist, tormentor.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
sadist	This term is used to describe someone who takes pleasure in causing pain or suffering to others. It is often used in psychological or clinical contexts, as well as in everyday speech to describe extremely cruel behavior. He was a sadist, enjoying the torment he inflicted on his victims. The villain in the movie was portrayed as a sadist, delighting in others' pain.
masochist	This term refers to someone who finds pleasure in experiencing their own pain or humiliation. It is often used in a psychological or clinical sense, but can also appear in casual conversation. As a masochist, he found comfort in situations that most people would find painful or stressful. In relationships, a masochist may seek out partners who treat them badly.
tormentor	A tormentor is someone who causes repeated suffering, anxiety, or pain to another person. The term can be used in both physical and psychological contexts. During his school years, he had a tormentor who bullied him every day. The prisoners were at the mercy of their tormentors, who showed no compassion.
cruel person	This phrase is used to describe someone who is intentionally harsh, heartless, or unkind. It can apply in a broad range of situations and is more general than 'sadist'. She is known as a cruel person, always finding ways to make others feel bad. The dictator was a cruel person, showing no mercy to his opponents.

Examples of usage

He was labeled a sadist after his disturbing behavior towards animals was revealed.
The sadist enjoyed watching others suffer.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

informal

A person who enjoys causing pain or suffering, often in a non-sexual context.

Synonyms

bully, schemer, tyrant.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
sadist	Someone who takes pleasure in causing pain or suffering to others. This term is often used to describe a person who enjoys being cruel or tormenting others. The dictator was a sadist, delighting in the misery of his prisoners Many described him as a sadist after they discovered how he enjoyed inflicting pain on his pets
bully	A person who habitually seeks to harm or intimidate those whom they perceive as vulnerable. This term is often used in the context of schoolyard behavior or workplace harassment. The schoolyard bully stole lunch money from the other kids every day Jane had to deal with a bully at work who kept trying to undermine her confidence
tyrant	A ruler or person in authority who exercises power in a cruel or oppressive way. This term is often used in historical or political contexts to describe oppressive leaders. The ancient king was remembered as a tyrant who showed no mercy to his subjects Under the tyrant's rule, people lived in fear of being punished for even the smallest offenses
schemer	Someone who is always planning or plotting, often with deceptive or dishonest intentions. This term implies a more calculated approach to achieving one's goals, not necessarily through direct cruelty. The office schemer always had a plan to climb the corporate ladder, no matter who got in his way He was known as a schemer, constantly devising plots to get ahead

Examples of usage

She's such a sadist, always playing pranks on her friends.
The movie villain was portrayed as a sadist who enjoyed causing chaos.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The term 'sadist' comes from the name of the French writer Marquis de Sade, who wrote stories where characters inflicted pain.
In the 19th century, the concept started to be used in psychological contexts to describe a certain kind of behavior.
The word has evolved over time, originally strictly describing someone who is sexually aroused by inflicting pain.

Psychology

Psychologists often explore how history, trauma, and social environments can play a role in sadistic behavior.
Research indicates that individuals with sadistic traits may have underlying issues like low self-esteem or a need for control.
Some studies suggest traits related to sadism can be linked to the enjoyment of violent video games or films.

Cultural Impact

In literature and film, sadistic characters often serve as antagonists, embodying extreme cruelty and moral challenges.
The concept of sadism has influenced various art forms, particularly in horror genre storytelling, amplifying emotional tension.
Famous characters like Joffrey Baratheon from 'Game of Thrones' or Anton Chigurh from 'No Country for Old Men' exemplify sadistic traits.

Legal Context

Sadism can sometimes come into play in criminal psychology, particularly in understanding violent offenders' motivations.
Legal systems may treat crimes involving sadism more seriously, as they raise concerns about the perpetrator's mental health.
The discussion of sadism in law often intersects with debates about consent, particularly in the context of BDSM communities.

Popular Culture

Shows like 'Dexter' and 'Hannibal' portray sadistic tendencies to add layers to characters and create psychologically complex narratives.
Some music genres, particularly heavy metal and punk, utilize sadistic imagery to evoke strong reactions and challenge societal norms.
The concept has even been explored in video games, where sadistic choices can lead to varying story outcomes.

Translations

Translations of the word "sadist" in other languages:

🇵🇹 sádico

🇮🇳 सैडिस्ट

🇩🇪 Sadist

🇮🇩 sadis

🇺🇦 садист

🇵🇱 sadysta

🇯🇵 サディスト

🇫🇷 sadique

🇪🇸 sádico

🇹🇷 sadist

🇰🇷 사디스트

🇸🇦 سادي

🇨🇿 sadista

🇸🇰 sadista

🇨🇳 施虐者

🇸🇮 sadist

🇮🇸 sadisti

🇰🇿 сади́ст

🇬🇪 სადისტი

🇦🇿 sadist

🇲🇽 sádico

Word Frequency Rank

This word's position of #33,574 indicates it's among the more rare English words. While understanding it broadens your vocabulary, focus on more common words first.

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33571 unsaved
33572 cuspid
33573 porno
33574 sadist
33575 derange
33576 moralize
33577 chorister
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