masochism

American  

[mas-uh-kiz-uhm, maz-] / ˈmæs əˌkɪz əm, ˈmæz- /

noun

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

2. 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.

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

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

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masochism British  

/ ˈmæsəˌkɪzəm /

noun

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

2. psychoanal the directing towards oneself of any destructive tendencies

3. a tendency to take pleasure from one's own suffering Compare sadism

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masochism Cultural  

1. 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.)

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Other Word Forms

• masochist
  noun
• masochistic
  adjective
• masochistically
  adverb

Etymology

Origin of masochism

First recorded in 1890–95; named after Leopold von Sacher-Masoch (1836–1895), who described it; see -ism

Explanation

Someone into masochism gets sexual pleasure from being hurt: they are turned on by pain. When you see the word masochism, think "pleasure from pain." Masochism is the opposite of sadism, which involves getting turned on by hurting people. Masochists are the ones that like getting hurt, though usually not seriously. Besides sex, people talk about masochism in other situations. If an employee keeps asking for more and more work, and seems to enjoy being stressed out and pushed around by a boss, other employees may see this as masochism.

Example Sentences

Nevertheless, there are plenty of young gallerists who insist on persisting—whether out of masochism or idealism—and they are finding new and unconventional ways to adapt to the difficult landscape.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 3, 2025

It would have been sporting masochism to pick himself.

From BBC • Aug. 27, 2025

In the first part of your book, you introduce two key terms: anhedonia and masochism.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 8, 2025

But we must never underestimate a strain of masochism in some people, the desire to bow down to the mighty as if they were prostrating themselves before a deity.

From Salon • Feb. 18, 2023

I don't know who invented the template for the standard writing workshop, but whoever it was seems to have struck the perfect balance between sadism and masochism.

From "Me Talk Pretty One Day" by David Sedaris