: the derivation of sexual gratification from the infliction of physical pain or humiliation either on another person or on oneself compare masochism, sadism
Recent Examples on the WebUntil 2013, sadomasochism, along with fetishism, was pathologized as a mental illness in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, or the DSM—a ruling with legal implications for jobs, parental rights.—R. O. Kwon, TIME, 17 May 2024 The recipient of much of Belichick’s sadomasochism was Brady, who evolved from a skinny kid no one wanted to an NFL legend, perhaps the best there ever was, with a series of increasingly interesting rock-star haircuts.—Stephen Rodrick, Variety, 13 Mar. 2024 Both authors redirected violence onto their partners: Fanon publicly struck his wife and Fleming practiced sadomasochism.—Daniel Immerwahr, The New Yorker, 8 Jan. 2024 Cronenberg’s most recent project is Crimes of the Future, a jaw-dropping exploration of sadomasochism and body modification.—Geek's Guide To The Galaxy, WIRED, 3 Nov. 2023 In the world of bondage, discipline, sadomasochism — BDSM — submissives don’t ask questions.—Teri Figueroa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Sep. 2023 Models of addiction, madness, and sadomasochism were as available to the young Williams as the works of Milton, Dickens, and Shakespeare were.—Casey Cep, The New Yorker, 3 July 2023 The awful sadomasochism of the moment is that what starts as a hug is a trap, once Roman realizes what Kendall is doing — that this hug is actually to tear those stitches apart.—Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 30 May 2023 Well before the rise of punk and heavy metal, Anger was juxtaposing music with bikers, sadomasochism, occultism and Nazi imagery.—Hillel Italie, BostonGlobe.com, 24 May 2023
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Word History
Etymology
International Scientific Vocabulary sadism + -o- + masochism
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