masochism

[ mas-uh-kiz-uhm, maz- ]

/ ˈmæs əˌkɪz əm, ˈmæz- /

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See synonyms for: masochism / masochisms on Thesaurus.com

noun

Psychiatry. the condition in which sexual gratification depends on suffering physical pain or humiliation.

gratification gained from pain, deprivation, degradation, etc., inflicted or imposed on oneself, either as a result of one's own actions or the actions of others, especially the tendency to seek this form of gratification.

the act of turning one's destructive tendencies inward or upon oneself.

the tendency to find pleasure in self-denial, submissiveness, etc.

QUIZ

THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?

Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.

Question 1 of 7

In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…

candystring

candyfloss

candypuff

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Origin of masochism

1890–95; named after L. von Sacher-Masoch, who described it; see -ism

OTHER WORDS FROM masochism

mas·och·ist, noun

Words nearby masochism

masking frame, masking piece, masking tape, maskinonge, maslin, masochism, masochist, masochistic, mason, mason bee, Mason City

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use masochism in a sentence

If a person deliberately engages with pain, not because they like the sensation of pain but because they like the sensations that come when the pain ends, I think that qualifies as a flavor of masochism.
What would possess someone to eat a Carolina Reaper pepper? This writer tried to find out.|Leigh Cowart|September 20, 2021|Popular-Science
I think benign masochism is a piece of it, but it’s also the fact that this experience has been associated with the positive, the people they care about in their life, their parents, their siblings.
What would possess someone to eat a Carolina Reaper pepper? This writer tried to find out.|Leigh Cowart|September 20, 2021|Popular-Science
He is the academic father of the theory of benign masochism.
What would possess someone to eat a Carolina Reaper pepper? This writer tried to find out.|Leigh Cowart|September 20, 2021|Popular-Science
As social psychologist Brock Bastian writes in his book about the role of suffering in happiness, “Benign masochism characterizes the enjoyment of the conflict that arises when these simultaneous positive and negative emotions are activated.”
What would possess someone to eat a Carolina Reaper pepper? This writer tried to find out.|Leigh Cowart|September 20, 2021|Popular-Science

If you would prefer to skip this exercise in masochism, we completely understand.
Dave Barry’s Year in Review 2020|Dave Barry|December 27, 2020|Washington Post
Some might lack the fortitude—or masochism—required to endure a grueling campaign (Rubio).
What Republicans Need Right Now Is a Good Internal Fight|James Poulos|November 6, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The willing masochism of being an England supporter is innate.
England Eliminated From World Cup 2014: The ‘Years of Hurt’ Continue|Tim Teeman|June 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST
(Haaretz) Bennett says anti-leftist-NGO bill doesn't go far enough - 'This masochism has to stop,' says Habayit Hayehudi leader.
Bedouin Relocation Plan Still On Track?|Orly Halpern|December 17, 2013|DAILY BEAST
This summer, in an act of literary masochism, I read not one but two books about Marco Rubio.
Marco Rubio, the Real Threat in 2016, Has Been Eclipsed by Ted Cruz|Peter Beinart|August 26, 2013|DAILY BEAST
The extension of the masochism-explains-all theory is that there is joy in all of this (well maybe not for Cubs fans).
Why You Love Being Scared of Swine Flu|Kent Sepkowitz|September 19, 2009|DAILY BEAST
Perhaps the phenomenon is allied to masochism, since anxiety is to a certain extent painful.
The Sexual Life of the Child|Albert Moll
It may be that the actual advertiser is on the lookout for the energetic instructress; here we have to do with masochism.
The Sexual Life of the Child|Albert Moll
I suspect that under many of our professed principles there lurk elements of unconscious sadism and masochism.
The Behavior of Crowds|Everett Dean Martin
The spiritual masochism of a woman may lead to depths of cruelty rarely understood.
Women's Wild Oats|C. Gasquoine Hartley
We have already mentioned this symptom and have seen the part it plays in some forms of masochism.
The Sexual Question|August Forel

British Dictionary definitions for masochism

masochism

/ (ˈmæsəˌkɪzəm) /

noun

psychiatry an abnormal condition in which pleasure, esp sexual pleasure, is derived from pain or from humiliation, domination, etc, by another person

psychoanal the directing towards oneself of any destructive tendencies

a tendency to take pleasure from one's own sufferingCompare sadism

Derived forms of masochism

masochist, noun, adjectivemasochistic, adjectivemasochistically, adverb

Word Origin for masochism

C19: named after Leopold von Sacher Masoch (1836–95), Austrian novelist, who described it

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Cultural definitions for masochism

masochism

[ (mas-uh-kiz-uhm) ]

Abnormal behavior characterized by deriving sexual gratification from being subjected to pain. More loosely, masochism refers to deriving any pleasure from experiencing pain. (Compare sadism.)

masochism

Origin of masochism

OTHER WORDS FROM masochism

Words nearby masochism

Words related to masochism

How to use masochism in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for masochism

Derived forms of masochism

Word Origin for masochism

Cultural definitions for masochism