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.
Even the snobbiest TV snoots can’t resist Alan Cumming as the playfully sadistic laird of Ardross Castle, emceeing what is essentially a closed circle murder mystery.
From Salon • Jan. 15, 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
“Huck Finn” was the apotheosis of Twain’s gift for truth-telling, as he exposed the sadistic oppression of Black people and made the slave Jim the hero.
From Los Angeles Times • May 9, 2025
Another Oscar for best supporting actor came in 1991 for Unforgiven - a Clint Eastwood Western - in which he played a sadistic sheriff, Bill Daggett.
From BBC • Feb. 27, 2025
Their sadistic giggling irritated me almost as much as the nickname.
From "We Are the Ants" by Shaun David Hutchinson
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From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.