sadistic
Enjoying others' suffering
Sadistic describes deriving pleasure from inflicting pain, suffering, or humiliation on others.
The word applies to both sexual gratification from cruelty and the broader enjoyment of others' distress: a sadistic bully, sadistic torture scenes.
A sadistic streak suggests someone who enjoys being cruel even in small ways: He took sadistic pleasure in pointing out her mistakes.
Willfully causing suffering
- brutalSavagely harsh or severe
- mercilessShowing no clemency
- heartlessLacking pity or mercy
- callousCruelly insensitive to others
pitiless · ruthless · inhumane · savage · barbaric · cold-blooded · unfeeling · remorseless
Delight in others' misfortune
- gratificationPleasure from satisfying desires
- enjoymentState of relishing something
- delightIntense pleasure or satisfaction
- relishKeen pleasurable appreciation
glee · satisfaction · perverse · twisted · sick · morbid · ghoulish · macabre
Deliberate infliction of suffering
- sufferingSustained experience of distress
- agonyExtreme physical or emotional pain
- anguishIntense mental suffering
- tormentSevere prolonged suffering
persecution · tormenting · inflicting · abuse · cruelty · punishment · pain · humiliation
Harboring ill will
- spitefulWanting to hurt others
- vindictiveSeeking harm from resentment
- maliciousMeaning to do harm
- meanAverage, or spiteful
hostile · wicked · hateful · nasty · bitter · resentful · pernicious · venomous
Supreme authority held
- controlAuthority to direct
- subjugationForcing into submission
- powerEnergy transfer rate
- tyrannyOppressive, absolute governance
oppression · bully · tormentor · abuser · persecutor · tyrant · despot · intimidation
cruel
Willfully causing suffering
callous · pitiless · ruthless · inhumane · savage · barbaric · cold-blooded · unfeeling · remorseless · inhuman
schadenfreude
Delight in others' misfortune
- gratificationPleasure from satisfying desires
- enjoymentState of relishing something
- delightIntense pleasure or satisfaction
relish · glee · satisfaction · perverse · twisted · sick · morbid · ghoulish · macabre · depravity
torture
Deliberate infliction of suffering
- sufferingSustained experience of distress
- agonyExtreme physical or emotional pain
- anguishIntense mental suffering
torment · persecution · tormenting · inflicting · abuse · cruelty · punishment · pain · humiliation · degradation
malevolent
Harboring ill will
- spitefulWanting to hurt others
- vindictiveSeeking harm from resentment
- maliciousMeaning to do harm
mean · hostile · wicked · hateful · nasty · bitter · resentful · pernicious · venomous · poisonous
domination
Supreme authority held
- controlAuthority to direct
- subjugationForcing into submission
- powerEnergy transfer rate
tyranny · oppression · bully · tormentor · abuser · persecutor · tyrant · despot · intimidation · coercion
- wickedevil, wicked, villainous, malicious, sinister
- fiercebrutal, violent, savage, ferocious, fierce
- personality disordersborderline personality disorder, antisocial personality disorder, narcissistic personality disorder, OCPD, personality disorders
sadisticcompassionate
Showing concern for sufferers
empathetic · sympathetic · tenderhearted · softhearted · pitying
sadistickind
Type or caring
merciful · humane · gentle · benevolent · tender
sadisticcompassionate
Showing concern for sufferers
empathetic · nurturing · caring · benevolent · altruistic