Word of the day: Sadism (noun)
Possible Meanings:
- The derivation of sexual gratification from inflicting physical or psychological pain or humiliation on another person. (Most common)
- A general enjoyment of cruelty or the suffering of others. (Less common)
Important Note: Sadism is a complex concept and it’s important to be sensitive when using this word. It’s generally used in reference to the sexual aspect unless specifically referring to a general enjoyment of cruelty.
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Example Sentences (referencing sexual gratification):
- The abuser’s actions were driven by sadism, finding pleasure in inflicting pain on his victim. (Explanation: Sadism describes the sexual motivation behind the abuser’s cruelty.)
- In some fictional stories, characters explore sadism and masochism (enjoyment of receiving pain) in a consensual setting. (Explanation: Here, sadism refers to the sexual desire to inflict pain, but within a specific context.)
Example Sentences (referring to general enjoyment of cruelty – use with caution):
- The dictator’s sadism knew no bounds, as he thrived on the suffering of his people. (Explanation: Sadism is used with caution here to describe the dictator’s extreme cruelty, but it doesn’t necessarily imply a sexual motive.)
- Sadistic bullies often target those they perceive as weaker. (Explanation: Sadistic is used as an adjective to describe bullies who enjoy inflicting emotional pain on others.)
Conversation Example (referencing general enjoyment of cruelty):
Context: Two friends are discussing a documentary about historical torture methods.
Person 1: “Wow, that documentary was brutal! It’s hard to believe people actually inflicted that kind of pain on each other.”
Person 2: “Yeah, it’s truly disturbing. It makes you wonder if some people throughout history had a streak of genuine sadism.”
Person 1: “Sadism? You mean they enjoyed the suffering?”
Person 2: “That’s the implication, right? It’s hard to explain devising such elaborate methods of torture otherwise. It wasn’t just about punishment; there seemed to be a pleasure taken in inflicting pain.”
Person 1: “Ugh, that’s chilling. Just thinking about people who might get a thrill from hurting others…”
Person 2: “Exactly. Hopefully, with advancements in society, we’ve moved beyond such barbaric practices.”
Can you use sadism in a sentence of your own? Share your example in the comments below.