sadomasochism

noun

sa·​do·​mas·​och·​ism ˌsā-(ˌ)dō-ˈma-sə-ˌki-zəm How to pronounce sadomasochism (audio)
ˌsa-,
-ˈma-zə-
: the derivation of sexual gratification from the infliction of physical pain or humiliation either on another person or on oneself compare masochism, sadism
sadomasochist noun or adjective
sadomasochistic adjective

Examples of sadomasochism in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Both authors redirected violence onto their partners: Fanon publicly struck his wife and Fleming practiced sadomasochism. Daniel Immerwahr, The New Yorker, 8 Jan. 2024 Cronenberg’s most recent project is Crimes of the Future, a jaw-dropping exploration of sadomasochism and body modification. Geek's Guide To The Galaxy, WIRED, 3 Nov. 2023 In the world of bondage, discipline, sadomasochism — BDSM — submissives don’t ask questions. Teri Figueroa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Sep. 2023 Models of addiction, madness, and sadomasochism were as available to the young Williams as the works of Milton, Dickens, and Shakespeare were. Casey Cep, The New Yorker, 3 July 2023 The awful sadomasochism of the moment is that what starts as a hug is a trap, once Roman realizes what Kendall is doing — that this hug is actually to tear those stitches apart. Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 30 May 2023 Well before the rise of punk and heavy metal, Anger was juxtaposing music with bikers, sadomasochism, occultism and Nazi imagery. Hillel Italie, BostonGlobe.com, 24 May 2023 What is this sadomasochism? Washington Post, 29 Jan. 2022 The writers give us generous dollops of that duo's symbiotic sadomasochism in the early episodes, which the actors execute with their typical thrust-and-parry finesse. Kristen Baldwin, EW.com, 22 Mar. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'sadomasochism.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary sadism + -o- + masochism

First Known Use

1919, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of sadomasochism was in 1919

Dictionary Entries Near sadomasochism

Cite this Entry

“Sadomasochism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sadomasochism. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Medical Definition

sadomasochism

noun
sa·​do·​mas·​och·​ism ˌsād-(ˌ)ō-ˈmas-ə-ˌkiz-əm How to pronounce sadomasochism (audio) ˌsad- How to pronounce sadomasochism (audio)
-ˈmaz-
: the derivation of pleasure from the infliction of physical or mental pain either on others or on oneself

More from Merriam-Webster on sadomasochism

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!