Crossword Genius

They love to hurt (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

sadists

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'they' is the definition.
Both the definition and answer are plural nouns.
Perhaps you can see an association between them that I don't see?

I cannot understand how the remainder of the clue works.

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(Other definitions for sadists that I've seen before include "Perverted pain-inflicters" , "They like to hurt" , "people with a mean streak" , "People who enjoy inflicting pain on others" , "Brutes" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
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