masochistic

adjective
mas·​och·​is·​tic | \ ˌma-sə-ˈki-stik How to pronounce masochistic (audio) , ˌma-zə- also ˌmā-\

Definition of masochistic

1 : of or relating to masochism : deriving sexual gratification from being subjected to physical pain or humiliation … suggests that children whose parents spanked, slapped, hit or threw objects at them may have a greater chance of physically or verbally coercing a sexual partner, engaging in risky sexual behavior or engaging in masochistic sex, including sexual arousal by spanking.— Sharon Jayson
2 : gaining pleasure from pain and suffering … a physically daring scene that might give even the most masochistic stuntperson pause.— Steve Daly It may seem masochistic to devote one's life to the pursuit of a vanishing asset.— Robert O. Paxton

Keep scrolling for more

Other Words from masochistic

masochistically \ ˌma-​sə-​ˈki-​sti-​k(ə-​)lē How to pronounce masochistically (audio) , ˌma-​zə-​ also  ˌmā-​ \ adverb
… certain maddening folks who go through life masochistically seeking to be disillusioned and disappointed. — Daniel Seligman

Examples of masochistic in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Rick is soft and masochistic, prone to fits of tears. Josephine Livingstone, The New Republic, "Quentin Tarantino’s #MeToo Moment?," 1 Aug. 2019 To that end, its supporting characters are vivid: One step above Travis in the FAM hierarchy is Cody (Théodore Pellerin), a type-A twerp with a masochistic streak. Judy Berman, Time, "On Becoming a God in Central Florida," 20 Aug. 2019 The trashy, hardcore-lite vibe of e-juice calls to mind some small-batch hot sauce brands, which feature imagery of ghosts, skulls, and devils to match the searing, masochistic heat of whatever pepper’s inside. Kate Mooney, Vox, "Crowded shelves and melting skulls: why so many vape stores look the same," 26 July 2019 Who will summon the skill, the nerve, and, let’s be honest, the masochistic madness to take May’s place is far from decided. Anthony Lane, The New Yorker, "Donald Trump’s Royal Treatment," 4 June 2019 An analysis of the phone later revealed more than 4,000 images of child pornography, including images of toddlers or infants, others depicting sadistic or masochistic violence and images of bestiality, officials said Tuesday. Zach Murdock, courant.com, "East Hartford man sentenced to 22 years in prison for trying to entice 11-year-old girl to have sex," 11 June 2019 This masochistic form of self-improvement challenges you to be rejected every day by another human. Marianne Power, Harper's BAZAAR, "I Was Rejected Every Day for a Month," 30 Jan. 2019 The Razzie Awards have gotten more popular over the years, and for some film buffs, IMDb's Bottom 100 has become a masochistic bucket list. Bryan Lufkin, Popular Mechanics, "Can Mystery Science Theater 3000 Thrive in an Age of Snark?," 14 Apr. 2017 In addition to tailing him on the trail, Karl Meltzer: Made to Be Broken gets into AT culture and the masochistic drive that pushes speed hikers. Heather Hansman, Outside Online, "The Newest Adventure Movies You Can Watch Right Now," 12 July 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'masochistic.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

See More

First Known Use of masochistic

1892 , in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for masochistic

masochist + -ic entry 1, after German masochistisch

Keep scrolling for more