Sadomasochism Definition & Meaning

American

British

Other Word Forms

Etymology

Examples

Related Words

Synonyms sadomasochism American [sey-doh-mas-uh-kiz-uhm, -maz-, sad-oh-] / ˌseɪ doʊˈmæs əˌkɪz əm, -ˈmæz-, ˌsæd oʊ- /

noun

1. interaction, especially sexual activity, in which one person enjoys inflicting physical or mental suffering on another person, who derives pleasure from experiencing pain.

2. gratification, especially sexual, gained through inflicting and receiving pain; sadism and masochism combined. S&M, S and M

sadomasochism British / ˌsædəʊ-, ˌseɪdəʊˈmæsəˌkɪzəm /

noun

1. the combination of sadistic and masochistic elements in one person, characterized by both aggressive and submissive periods in relationships with others

2. Abbreviation: SM. S M. sexual practice in which one partner adopts a sadistic role and the other a masochistic one Compare sadism masochism

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

• sadomasochist noun
• sadomasochistic adjective

Etymology

Origin of sadomasochism

First recorded in 1915–20; sad- ( sadism ) + -o- + masochism

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Well before the rise of punk and heavy metal, Anger was juxtaposing music with bikers, sadomasochism, occultism and Nazi imagery.

From Seattle Times

This he has faithfully done in plays like “Fulfillment,” “Intimacy,” and “Burning,” which depict, often explicitly, incest, pornography, scatology and sadomasochism.

From New York Times

Powell revealed she had an affair, the pain of loving two men at once, of her fondness for sadomasochism and even a bout of self-punishing sex with a stranger.

From Seattle Times

Zelensky said at a news conference Friday that the evidence of an imminent invasion was insufficient, even as he suggested that the troops were part of a Russian “sadomasochism” threat.

From Washington Post

“To threaten us? What is this sadomasochism? What is the pleasure of this? Of someone being afraid?”

From Washington Post

Related Words

• malice

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.