What does sadistically mean?
Sadistically means in a manner characterized by deliberate cruelty or a cruel enjoyment of another person's suffering. It is usually applied to actions that are not merely harsh or negative but intentionally inhumane, such as tormenting, mocking, or inflicting pain for pleasure or power. The adverb is especially forceful because it portrays cruelty as a deliberate manner of acting rather than simply an unfortunate consequence. For example, describing someone as sadistically tormenting a prisoner indicates that the torment appears motivated by sadistic pleasure rather than by necessity or duty. The term is predominantly negative and morally condemnatory. In formal writing, it is most appropriate where behavior clearly exhibits sadism or cruelty; using it loosely for ordinary criticism can make the language sound exaggerated. The related adjective sadistic describes the behavior or attitude itself.
adverbIn a cruel or sadistic manner, especially deriving pleasure from another person's suffering.
- In a cruel or sadistic manner, with deliberate or excessive pleasure in another person's suffering.
"The villain sadistically mocked his captives while they were held helpless."
"The interrogator sadistically withheld information just long enough to increase his victims' fear."
"Her criticism was so sadistically personal that it went beyond ordinary criticism into deliberate cruelty."
The word's history points directly to the Marquis de Sade, whose name became inseparable from ideas of deliberate cruelty.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does sadistically come from?
The word ultimately derives from French sadisme, a term formed from the name of the eighteenth-century French writer known as the Marquis de Sade. English borrowed sadism during the nineteenth century and formed the adjective sadistic from it. The adverb sadistically was subsequently created as a derivative of that adjective.
How sadistically is actually used
This is a strongly evaluative word. It normally describes behavior that is deliberately cruel, sadistic, or needlessly harmful, and it should be used when such cruelty is clearly established.
Easily confused with sadistically
Sadistic is the adjective describing cruel or sadistic behavior, whereas sadistically is the adverb describing how such behavior is carried out.