What is defined as the pleasure gained from making someone else suffer?

The term that describes the pleasure gained from making someone else suffer is sadism. This concept originates from the name of the Marquis de Sade, a French nobleman known for his writings that explored the themes of cruelty and eroticism, where pleasure is derived from inflicting pain on others. In psychological contexts, sadism can manifest in various behaviors where an individual derives gratification from causing harm, humiliation, or pain to another person.

Understanding this definition distinguishes sadism from other related terms. Exhibitionism involves deriving pleasure from exposing oneself to others, usually for sexual gratification. Masochism, in contrast, refers to the enjoyment of experiencing pain or humiliation oneself. Frotteurism is characterized by seeking sexual pleasure through rubbing against a non-consenting person, typically in a crowded setting. Each of these terms relates to different expressions of human sexuality and psychology, making the specific definition of sadism focused on the enjoyment of another's suffering particularly clear and distinct.