1. people who derive pleasure from inflicting pain, suffering, or humiliation on others
Usage: psychology; often considered offensive

Examples

• The novel portrayed the villains as cruel sadists who enjoyed tormenting their victims.
• Psychologists study the behavior patterns of sadists to understand their motivations.
• The documentary examined how sadists use psychological manipulation to control others.
• Prison guards who abuse their power are often described as sadists.
• The character in the movie was written as one of the most memorable sadists in film history.
• Researchers found that sadists often lack empathy for their victims.