# sadist

/ˈseɪdəst/ (US) · /sˈeɪdɪst/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/sadist
Updated: 2026-10-17

## Definition

a person who enjoys hurting others or making them suffer. You use it for someone who seems to like seeing other people in pain.

For teachers: a person who derives pleasure from inflicting pain, suffering, or humiliation on others. Originally associated with sexual gratification, now commonly used for any enjoyment of cruelty.

## Examples

- He acts like a sadist when he teases his brother.
- Her new boss is a sadist who assigns extra work on Friday afternoons.
- The novel portrays the warden not as a simple sadist but as a bureaucrat whose indifference to suffering proves more chilling than cruelty.

## Synonyms

torturer, tormentor

## Antonyms

masochist

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.