Refers to deriving pleasure from cruelty or inflicting pain. Often used in psychological or descriptive contexts. Related to 嗜虐性 (sadistic tendency) and 加虐 (inflicting harm).
His sadistic personality is troubling those around him.
It is said that sadism and masochism are two sides of the same coin.
Compound of 嗜 (し, 'to have a taste for, to be fond of') and 虐 (ぎゃく, 'oppression, cruelty'). The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but the combination directly conveys 'fondness for cruelty'.