sadist

[ sey-dist, sad-ist ]

noun

1. Psychiatry. a person who has the condition of sadism, in which one receives sexual gratification from causing pain and degradation to another.
2. a person who enjoys being cruel.

Word History and Origins

Origin of sadist¹

First recorded in 1890–1920; sad(ism) + -ist

Example Sentences

Instead, Trump, like other demagogues and fascists, is a sadist.

From Salon

On Wednesday, chief prosecutor Ute Lindemann described Brückner as a "dangerous, psychopathic sadist" and said he should be placed in preventive detention after serving his sentence.

From BBC

A doctor later determined Gaff was a “sexual sadist,” with “increased risk of committing predatory acts of sexual violence.”

From Seattle Times

Fromm covers much of this ground again, analyzing Heinrich Himmler and Josef Stalin as case studies of the sadist driven by the need to dominate.

From Salon

The sadist is not necessarily lethal; since his leading desire is for control, he will want to keep the victim alive.

From Salon

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