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Est. 1828
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Grammar & Usage Commonly Confused

What is the difference between a masochist and a sadist?

One likes to feel pain. The other likes to cause pain.

A masochist is a person who takes pleasure in their own pain and suffering. Someone who derives sexual gratification from being subjected to physical pain or humiliation is also called a masochist. A sadist is a person who takes pleasure in inflicting pain, punishment, or humiliation on others.

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Popular

Commonly Confused

'Canceled' or 'cancelled'?

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?

Words You Always Have to Look Up

'Lose' or 'loose'?

Is it 'home in' or 'hone in'?

See All

Grammar & Usage

Hypercorrections: Are you making these 6 common mistakes?

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

Having a Think About 'Another Think/Thing Coming'

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

More Words You Always Have to Look Up

See All

Wordplay

Sit, Shake, Pronk: 8 Words for Quirky Animal Behaviors

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

Ten Painless Ways to Improve Your Vocabulary

How 'Namaste' Entered The English Language

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

See All
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