masochistic

adjective

mas·​och·​is·​tic ˌma-sə-ˈki-stik 

ˌma-zə-

also ˌmā-

1

: of or relating to masochism : deriving sexual gratification from being subjected to physical pain or humiliation

… suggests that children whose parents spanked, slapped, hit or threw objects at them may have a greater chance of physically or verbally coercing a sexual partner, engaging in risky sexual behavior or engaging in masochistic sex, including sexual arousal by spanking.

—Sharon Jayson

2

: gaining pleasure from pain and suffering

… a physically daring scene that might give even the most masochistic stuntperson pause.

—Steve Daly

It may seem masochistic to devote one's life to the pursuit of a vanishing asset.

—Robert O. Paxton

masochistically

ˌma-sə-ˈki-sti-k(ə-)lē 

ˌma-zə-

also ˌmā-

adverb

… certain maddening folks who go through life masochistically seeking to be disillusioned and disappointed.

—Daniel Seligman

Examples of masochistic in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Why are these seemingly masochistic workouts on the rise? —Ellen O’Brien, SELF, 16 Dec. 2025

The group protested against the controversial Robert Mapplethorpe photography exhibit in Cincinnati, which included some nude photos of children and gay sadistic and masochistic culture. —Victoria Moorwood, Cincinnati Enquirer, 14 Dec. 2025

Wiry and wired, Lee, in his almost masochistic willingness to endure pain in service of his cause, calls back to First Reformed’s self-destructive zealot. —Judy Berman, Time, 23 Sep. 2025

Perfidia and Lockjaw’s masochistic power interplay early on, however, unspools less successfully. —Randy Myers, Mercury News, 19 Sep. 2025

Word History

Etymology

masochist + -ic entry 1, after German masochistisch

First Known Use

1892, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for masochistic

• sadomasochistic