sadomasochism

noun

sa·​do·​mas·​och·​ism ˌsā-(ˌ)dō-ˈma-sə-ˌki-zəm 

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

ˌsā-(ˌ)dō-ˈma-sə-kist 

ˌsa-, 

-ˈma-zə-

noun or adjective

sadomasochistic

ˌsā-(ˌ)dō-ˌma-sə-ˈki-stik 

ˌsa-, 

-ˌma-zə-

adjective

Examples of sadomasochism in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The answer is not much—Fennell makes explicit, via sadomasochism, the power differentials and emotional degradations that are so often ambiguous in the original. —Rhian Sasseen, The Atlantic, 10 Mar. 2026

The sexy video featured hints of sadomasochism, voyeurism and more, and while very suggestive, wasn't altogether explicit. —Angela Andaloro, PEOPLE, 26 Nov. 2025

Yet soon one is overcome by Charles Laughton’s creepy, convincing portrayal of Captain Bligh’s sadomasochism: most of the first fifteen minutes is taken up with floggings and other shipboard disciplining of half-naked men, shown in detail while Laughton looks on with long-lipped lasciviousness. —Adam Gopnik, New Yorker, 9 June 2025

Anyway, the relationship veers into sadomasochism, with Samuel as the dominant player. —Tom Gliatto, People.com, 24 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary sadism + -o- + masochism

First Known Use

1919, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for sadomasochism

• masochism

Medical Definition

sadomasochism

noun

sa·​do·​mas·​och·​ism ˌsād-(ˌ)ō-ˈmas-ə-ˌkiz-əm  ˌsad- 

-ˈmaz-

: the derivation of pleasure from the infliction of physical or mental pain either on others or on oneself