Ankit Kumar Ankit Kumar Asked 4 months ago

What do you call someone who laughs at others pain?

I was discussing empathy with my friends, and one of them mentioned people who find humor in others' suffering. I want to know if there's a specific term for such a person. What do you call someone who laughs or takes pleasure in the pain of others?

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5 answers

Nidhi Agrawal Nidhi Agrawal Joined Jul 2026 4 months ago
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The term is a 'sadist'. I used to panic thinking someone close to me had severe behavioral issues because of this, but often it is just a nervous laugh reaction to awkward situations. It is actually quite common and normal.

Satish Gujral Satish Gujral Joined May 2026 4 months ago

They are called sadists in psychological terms. If you are planning to consult a therapist for behavioral counseling regarding this, check government hospital OPDs where therapy is very affordable or even free.

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Consult a internal medicine specialist

Sunita Rao Sunita Rao Joined Apr 2026 4 months ago

This behavior is known as sadism. If someone is showing extreme lack of empathy or deriving pleasure from physical harm, it is highly recommended to get a professional psychiatric evaluation done for safety.

Rohan Mehra Rohan Mehra Joined Jul 2026 4 months ago

A person who enjoys others' pain is termed a sadist. Our family doctor at the clinic explained that persistent lack of empathy can sometimes be a clinical issue. You should consult a qualified psychologist to understand this clearly.

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Pooja Hegde Pooja Hegde Joined Jul 2026 3 months ago

They are called sadists. I hope you aren't dealing with someone toxic who is hurting you, please stay safe and reach out to friends or family if you feel anxious or unsafe.

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