What does sadist mean?
A sadist is someone who takes pleasure in causing pain, suffering, or cruelty to others. The word is especially appropriate for deliberate, calculated cruelty and for someone who repeatedly inflicts suffering as a source of gratification. In figurative use, it can describe unusually ruthless or sadistic behaviour, though it is a serious and emotionally charged term rather than a casual synonym for “mean.” The related adjective is sadistic, as in “sadistic cruelty,” and the abstract noun is sadism. The term derives from the name of Marquis de Sade, the eighteenth-century French writer associated with works exploring cruelty, abuse of power, and the pursuit of intense sensation. Because of its literary and psychological associations, “sadist” often carries implications of extreme or systematic cruelty rather than ordinary unkindness.
nounA sadist is a person who derives pleasure from inflicting pain, suffering, or cruelty on others. The term is used especially for someone whose cruelty is deliberate or persistent.
- A person who deliberately inflicts pain or cruelty on others for their own pleasure.
"The novel portrays a calculating sadist who enjoys the fear of his victims."
"He was accused of being a sadist who deliberately terrorized the animals."
"The story explores the psychology of a sadist through the perspective of an imprisoned man."
The plural is used when referring to more than one person who inflicts cruelty or suffering for their own gratification.
"The novel portrays a group of sadists who use their power to terrorize others."
The word comes from the name of the French writer Marquis de Sade, whose works became lasting symbols of deliberate cruelty and extreme sensual power.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does sadist come from?
The English noun entered usage in the early nineteenth century from French sadiste, which was formed from the name of the Marquis de Sade. The word was associated with the French writer's reputation for works portraying cruelty and extreme sensual behaviour. English subsequently developed the related forms sadism and sadistic, while sadistically was formed as the corresponding adverb.
Related word forms
How sadist is actually used
The term is strongly negative and may be used figuratively for especially ruthless or needlessly cruel behaviour. It should generally not be used as a medical or clinical label, and describing a person's ordinary cruelty with it can be considered an exaggeration.
Easily confused with sadist
A sadist inflicts suffering on another person, whereas a masochist derives pleasure from suffering inflicted on them.
Sadist is a noun naming a person, while sadistic is an adjective describing cruelty or the pleasure derived from it.