Dictionary
Thesaurus
Reference
Translate
Web
Related Searches
on Ask.com
Synonyms
Nearby Entries
sadistic - 2 dictionary results

sa⋅dism

  [sey-diz-uhm, sad-iz-]
Use sadistic in a Sentence
–noun
1. Psychiatry. sexual gratification gained through causing pain or degradation to others. Compare masochism.
2. any enjoyment in being cruel.
3. extreme cruelty.
Origin:
1885–90; < F sadisme; see Sade, -ism

Related forms:
sadist, noun, adjective
sa⋅dis⋅tic  [suh-dis-tik, sey-, sa-] , adjective
sa⋅dis⋅ti⋅cal⋅ly, adverb
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To sadistic
sa·dism   (sā'dĭz'əm, sād'ĭz'-)   
n.  
  1. The deriving of sexual gratification or the tendency to derive sexual gratification from inflicting pain or emotional abuse on others.
  2. The deriving of pleasure, or the tendency to derive pleasure, from cruelty.
  3. Extreme cruelty.

[After Comte Donatien Alphonse François de Sade.]
sa'dist n., sa·dis'tic (sə-dĭs'tĭk) adj., sa·dis'ti·cal·ly adv.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Search another word or see sadistic on Thesaurus | Reference