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sadism

sadism

11 8.4
A desire to get sexual pleasure from hurting other people
  • noun
  • /ˈseɪdɪzəm/
  • Offensive
translation icon : sadismo
  • In literature, themes of sadism often highlight the darker aspects of human nature.
  • sadism and masochism
  • voyeurism and sadism
  • cruelty and sadism

What is the connection, though, between the sexual sadism and the decline of empires?

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Examples

  • One perpetrator characteristic advanced as cruel was sadism, taking pleasure in causing other people pain.

    Academic text (2000)
  • In addition to cruelty, sadism often has other roots as well.

    Academic text (2000)
  • It's one of the few instances of sadism in the animal world.

  • Let us take sadism, the pleasure from the other's sufferings, as an example.

    Academic text (2000)
  • Of course, the Prue stages his discussion of sadism in a scene of darkness, destruction and death.

  • In such form, however, sadism is relatively rare and originates as a deviation from evolution-based emotions.

    Academic text (2000)
  • In psychological terms, Stalin displayed sadism, narcissism, and most of all, paranoia.

  • Does pornography treat women as "playthings for male lust and sadism," desensitizing men so that they are more willing to abuse women?

    Academic text (2008)
  • The shriek and its accompanying sense of wordless, unchecked sadism raised the hairs on Martin's arms.

    Fiction book (2002)
  • The therapist explained that sexual sadism involves deriving pleasure from inflicting pain on others.

Synonyms

sadistic tendency
vssadism
  • Offensive
9.0

A wish to hurt other people because it gives pleasure

is about sexual pleasure rather than a general inclination to cause pain

Antonyms

423 2.7

A strong feeling of care for someone who is suffering and a wish to help them

24 6.5

Caring about other people's needs more than your own

How Sadistic

sadism
  • Offensive
11 8.4
cruelty
  • NSFW
129 3.2
indifference
71 4.6
empathy
154 3.2

Surface Forms

sadism singular
sadisms plural

Etymology

Sadism comes from the name Marquis de Sade, a French writer whose stories showed people getting pleasure from hurting others. The ending -ism means 'belief' or 'practice', so sadism means taking sexual pleasure in causing pain. It is often talked about together with masochism, which means enjoying being hurt.