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Est. 1828
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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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effrontery

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Commonly Confused

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

'Capitol' or 'Capital'?

'Demur' and 'Demure': Not to be Confused

'Lose' or 'loose'?

See All

Grammar & Usage

Is it 'autumn' or 'fall'?

More Commonly Misspelled Words

31 Useful Rhetorical Devices

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

See All

Wordplay

Pwn, Skibidi, Girlboss and Other Words Added to the 2026 SCRABBLE Dictionary

Nonsense Words: Buffoonery, Codswallop and More

The Longest Long Words List

Great Big List of Beautiful and Useless Words, Vol. 5

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

See All
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