WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026
sa•dism /ˈseɪdɪzəm, ˈsædɪz-/USA pronunciation
n. [uncountable]
sa•dis•tic /səˈdɪstɪk/USA pronunciation adj.
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026- Psychiatrysexual pleasure from causing pain to others.
- pleasure in being cruel.
sa•dis•tic /səˈdɪstɪk/USA pronunciation adj.
sa•dism
(sā′diz əm, sad′iz-),USA pronunciation n.
sa′dist, n., adj.
sa•dis•tic
(sə dis′tik, sā-, sa-),USA pronunciation adj.
sa•dis′ti•cal•ly, adv.
- Psychiatrysexual gratification gained through causing pain or degradation to others. Cf. masochism.
- any enjoyment in being cruel.
- extreme cruelty.
- French sadisme; see Sade, -ism
- 1885–90;