sadism
sadism — noun
1. the act or practice of obtaining pleasure — often but not always sexual — from c
the act or practice of obtaining pleasure — often but not always sexual — from causing pain, humiliation, or suffering to another person
Dr. Baraka testified the defendant's meticulous records of victims' suffering were evidence of sadism.
forensic context: evidence of sadism through documented suffering
Dr. Amihan's clinical study concluded that the patient's sadism stemmed from a lack of empathy.
clinical study: sadism linked to lack of empathy
Olivia argued the villain's cruelty in the novel represents sadism as a critique of unchecked power.
Vivek condemned the manager's habit of humiliating junior staff as pure sadism.
- cruelty
broader term; cruelty does not necessarily involve pleasure or enjoyment
- viciousness
focuses on a spiteful character trait rather than the specific pleasure-from-pain dynamic
- brutality
emphasises physical violence more than the psychological enjoyment of causing suffering
- compassion
concern for others' suffering, the opposite of deriving pleasure from it
- kindness
a general disposition to do good, opposed to the intent to cause harm
用法筆記
In clinical psychology, sadism is classified as a paraphilia in which sexual arousal depends on inflicting pain on others. In everyday language, the word is used more broadly to describe any deliberate cruelty performed with enjoyment, regardless of sexual context. The clinical sense requires a diagnosis; the colloquial sense is a strong moral judgment.