masochistic

American  

[mas-uh-kis-tik, maz‑] / ˌmæs əˈkɪs tɪk, ˌmæz‑ /

adjective

1. Psychiatry.  having a condition in which sexual gratification depends on suffering, physical pain, and humiliation.

2. gratified by pain, degradation, deprivation, etc., inflicted on oneself either by one's own actions or the actions of others.

3. tending to be self-destructive.

4. tending to find pleasure in self-denial, submissiveness, degradation, etc.

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Other Word Forms

• masochistically adverb

Etymology

Origin of masochistic

masoch(ism) + -istic

Example Sentences

Dark fantasies about martial law and mass repression may deliver a certain masochistic thrill.

From Salon

But its episodic structure, which leads to a bizarre speculation regarding Elisabeth’s ultimate fate, loses interest even as it gains a certain masochistic momentum.

From Washington Post

"Giving something up is not masochistic. You give something up to obtain something else that is more important," he said.

From Reuters

It’s still challenging, but the studio’s move from gloomy, claustrophobic castles into a more colorful, inviting open world at least gives less masochistic players a chance to explore its singular take on sword-and-sorcery.

From Seattle Times

With almost masochistic relish, French commentators have taken to listing the ways in which Berlin has lately chosen to go its own way rather than find an accord with Paris.

From BBC