Finding great pleasure in another person's suffering; going so far as to inflict that suffering intentionally in pursuit of one's own pleasure.

when you're hungover as shit after a spending a night drunk as a skunk

Origin: Derived from the marquis de sade

Function (n.) one who derives sexual pleasure from hurting others.

the obtaining of pleasure, sometimes sexual, from being cruel to or hurting another person

From the Marquis de Sade, enjoying inclicting pain, fear, and/or general suffering

Witnessing
the same things inflicted on others.

Similar to schadenfreude, but sadism is often more sexual in nature.

Sexual pleasure derived from inflicting pain on another individual.

Abstract noun

The state of gaining pleasure, often sexual, through cruel or degrational behaviour towards other people, often by inflicting physical pain or causing humiliation.

Other forms: sadist, sadistic
Linked to: sadomasochism
Antonyms: masochism