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noun

sadist

SAY-dihst
noun
1
A person who enjoys causing pain or humiliation to others.
"The guard was a known sadist who delighted in tormenting prisoners."

How to Use Sadist

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishSomeone who enjoys inflicting pain or cruelty.

Easily confused with

Word Forms

sadists plural

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The guard was a known _____ who delighted in tormenting prisoners.

Etymology

From the name of the Marquis de Sade; see sadism.

Definitions: FreeDict original editorial