Refers to deriving pleasure from inflicting pain or cruelty on others, often in a psychological or sexual context. A relatively formal or clinical term; in casual conversation, サディズム or サド are more common.
Sadism refers to a tendency to derive pleasure from causing suffering to others.
His behavior shows sadistic elements.
Compound of 加虐 (inflicting cruelty) and 愛 (love). The exact derivation is uncertain; it appears to be a Japanese-coined term for sadism, likely influenced by Western psychological concepts.