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

Explanation

If you call someone masochistic, you are implying that they get pleasure from pain. Masochistic might be a good adjective to describe your friends who view participating in an Ironman Triathlon as their idea of a good time. In the early 19th century, an individual with the last name Sacher-Masoch had some deviant, or abnormal, thoughts regarding sexuality. His name became the German noun Masochismus and, eventually, the English adjective masochistic. Sometimes masochistic is used incorrectly or as slang to refer to someone who just does something mean, as in "taking the wings off of flies is masochistic," implying that the person enjoys the pain of another, when the word really is specific to the person receiving pain. (It's a sadistic person who enjoys inflicting pain on someone else.)

Example Sentences

Masochistic traits are ones where people tend to bend over backward for others.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 8, 2025

Smith has been the regular rider for Drefong, but he chose to get on Masochistic, who finished 14th and last in the 2015 Sprint at Keeneland.

From Washington Times • Nov. 5, 2016

Masochistic, the 8-5 favorite ridden by Mike Smith, returned $4 and $2.80, while Mind Your Biscuits was another nose back in third and paid $4.60 to show.

From Washington Times • Nov. 5, 2016

David Frankham and Brian Carmody, owners of Smogcutter, boycotted the July 31 race, which Masochistic won.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 11, 2014

What event does the Grand Masochistic Order of Hemorrhoid Sufferers sponsor each year?

From Washington Post