masochist

American  

[mas-uh-kist] / ˈmæs ə kɪst /

noun

masochists plural

1. Psychiatry. a person who has masochism, the condition in which sexual or other gratification depends on one's suffering physical pain or humiliation.

2. a person who is gratified by pain, degradation, etc., that is self-imposed or imposed by others.

3. a person who finds pleasure in self-denial, submissiveness, etc.

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• masochistic
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• masochists
  plural

Etymology

Origin of masochist

First recorded in 1890–1900; masoch(ism) + -ist

Compare meaning

How does masochist compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• sadist vs. masochist

Explanation

If you call someone a masochist, you either mean that they take pleasure in pain, or — perhaps more commonly — that they just seem to. Masochism is an eponym — a word named for a person. Leopold von Sacher-Masoch was an Austrian writer in the nineteenth century who described the gratification he got from his own pain and humiliation. There are many self-proclaimed masochists out there today — and, one would have to imagine, at least as many sadists, those who enjoy inflicting pain on others (from the name of the Marquis de Sade). But these days you're most likely to hear the word used jokingly by someone who doesn't understand another's motivations for doing something painful or difficult: "You're still building that stone wall? What are you, some kind of masochist?"

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

masochist masochists

But if you are a masochist and insist on watching, certain things are guaranteed in every state-of-the-disunion speech, and Tuesday’s will be no exception.

From MarketWatch ● Feb. 24, 2026

More importantly, what kind of masochist would want it?

From Salon ● Sep. 20, 2023

If you’re that type of masochist, you can dig in Monday on PC.

From Seattle Times ● May 11, 2023

“I know some people think me crazy, but I am no masochist, and only occasionally am stung on purpose,” he told The Guardian in 2018.

From New York Times ● Mar. 3, 2023

“Or maybe I’m a masochist and I like girls who are as annoying as hell! Don’t try to analyze me, Jenna. I am what I am.”

From "The Adoration of Jenna Fox" by Mary E. Pearson

As the YouTube hit demonstrates, hot sauce isn’t just for daredevils and masochists: It’s a truth serum.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 20, 2025

They just wasted a lot of time, energy and money — taxpayers’ and donors’ — acting like masochists.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 16, 2021

The next morning, I am transported to New York, where I take part in a spinning class alongside hundreds of other masochists.

From The Guardian ● Jun. 8, 2019

In “Veep,” you get the impression that though all the leads hate themselves, they force themselves through the motions of politics, either because they’re narcissists or masochists.

From Salon ● May 15, 2016

I found no listing for those who fear they know too many masochists.

From "Me Talk Pretty One Day" by David Sedaris