sadismEnglishOxford New American Dictionarysadism /ˈsāˌdizəm, ˈseɪˌdɪzəm / ▸ noun the tendency to derive pleasure, especially sexual gratification, from inflicting pain, suffering, or humiliation on others: beneath the apparent loving concern she had glimpsed spite and sadism. – ORIGIN late 19th century : from French sadisme, from the name of the Marquis de Sade, Comte de.