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
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
He self-referentially calls himself “that sadistic letter-abuser, Douglas R. Hofstadter,” and there is indeed a lot of vigorous torquing of serifs.
From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 21, 2025
“I’m not a sadistic guy that wants to make a spectator suffer. I have a lot of hope. I trust in human beings, even with their contradictions and weaknesses.”
From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 6, 2025
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
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From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.