sadistic

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

He said a whole-life tariff could only be given in sadistic or sexual cases, those involving abduction or a high level of premeditation.

From BBC • Feb. 27, 2026

And no wonder: You needn’t work at a fashion magazine to relate to having a sadistic boss like Meryl Streep’s character in “The Devil Wears Prada.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 29, 2025

Over his long career, Hackman won Academy Awards for portrayals of an obsessed undercover narcotics cop in “The French Connection” and a sadistic Western sheriff in “Unforgiven.”

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 27, 2025

The police union called for her ouster, writing on Facebook: “The first rule of toddler fight club is … that you prosecute the sadistic promoters of toddler fight club.”

From Salon • Oct. 11, 2023

At the same time, I wasn’t so sadistic that I’d inflict any more of my loser-boy routine on Faith, either.

From "Anthem of a Reluctant Prophet" by Joanne Proulx