onanism

noun

onan·​ism ˈō-nə-ˌni-zəm 

1

: masturbation

2

: coitus interruptus

3

: self-gratification

All this academic onanism evaporates.

—Tony Hendra

onanistic

ˌō-nə-ˈni-stik 

adjective

Examples of onanism in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

In other words, a sort of onanism of the soul afflicts him. — Hermione Hoby, New Yorker, 26 Jan. 2026

Writing is such a solitary art — onanism with words — that only the most perverse would want someone watching the act. — Odie Henderson, BostonGlobe.com, 18 Jan. 2023

In the spring, Rolling Stone quoted her at length detailing the particular joys of onanism and her appreciation for the female body, which spiraled out across several tabloid news cycles. — Alessandra Codinha, Vogue, 8 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

probably from New Latin onanismus, from Onan, son of Judah (Genesis 38:9)

First Known Use

1718, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for onanism

• autism
• fascism
• racism
• sikhism
• sophism
• statism
• sufism
• thomism
• tourism
• tropism
• abolitionism
• aldosteronism

Medical Definition

onanism

noun

onan·​ism ˈō-nə-ˌniz-əm 

1

: masturbation

2

: coitus interruptus

onanistic

ˌō-nə-ˈnis-tik 

adjective