sadomasochism

noun

sa·​do·​mas·​och·​ism ˌsā-(ˌ)dō-ˈma-sə-ˌki-zəm 

ˌsa-,

-ˈma-zə- 

: the derivation of sexual gratification from the infliction of physical pain or humiliation either on another person or on oneself compare masochism, sadism

sadomasochist

ˌsā-(ˌ)dō-ˈma-sə-kist 

ˌsa-

-ˈma-zə-

noun or adjective

sadomasochistic

ˌsā-(ˌ)dō-ˌma-sə-ˈki-stik 

ˌsa-

-ˌma-zə-

adjective

Examples of sadomasochism in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Toward the end of the film, Banderas’ character remarks that women’s interests in sadomasochism aren’t real and are simply a male construct. —Whitney Friedlander, Variety, 18 Dec. 2024

So, bondage, sadomasochism, fetishes, and role play are examples of kinks, and these aren’t fringe penchants. —R. O. Kwon, TIME, 17 May 2024

Until 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

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary sadism + -o- + masochism

First Known Use

1919, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

sadomasochism

noun

sa·​do·​mas·​och·​ism ˌsād-(ˌ)ō-ˈmas-ə-ˌkiz-əm  ˌsad- 

-ˈmaz-

: the derivation of pleasure from the infliction of physical or mental pain either on others or on oneself