: the derivation of sexual gratification from the infliction of physical pain or humiliation on another person compare masochism, sadomasochism
2
a
: delight in cruelty
b
: extreme cruelty
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What is the Difference Between the Words masochism & sadism?
Masochism and sadism are both about the enjoyment of pain. Masochism refers to the enjoyment of experiencing pain while sadism refers to the enjoyment of inflicting pain on someone else.
Interestingly, both masochism and sadism are eponymous words. English has thousands of such words, taken from the names of people both real and fictional. Masochism comes from the name of the 19th century German novelist, Leopold von Sacher-Masoch. It is unusual in that it began to be used during the lifetime of the man from whom it originated (Sacher-Masoch died in 1895, and masochism had been in printed use since 1892).Sadism comes from the name of the French writer, the Marquis de Sade (1740-1814).
The two words are not only often encountered in connection with one another, they have been combined into a single word, sadomasochism.
Recent Examples on the WebAll the elements were in place: sadism, sacrilege, and nonstop profanity. Chris Norris, SPIN, 13 Aug. 2022 As with First Love, the parents’ toxic relationship—the mother’s masochistic manipulations and the father’s grotesque sadism—has abiding ramifications. Claire Messud, Harper’s Magazine , 17 Aug. 2022 Newsweek has reported about a cluster of monkeypox cases arising from a recent conference in Chicago known as International Mr. Leather for fans of bondage, dominance, sadism and masochism, or BDSM. Helena Oliviero, ajc, 17 June 2022 LaGanga’s son has been covertly harassing a fellow student and, with weird sadism, LaGanga manages to blame Gordon for the kid’s perversion. John Defore, The Hollywood Reporter, 11 June 2022 Since the beginning of 2022, aesthetics associated with BDSM — a set of erotic practices that include bondage, domination, sadism, and masochism — have entered the mainstream fashion landscape. Frances Solá-santiago, refinery29.com, 2 May 2022 But just as therapy is complicated, our relationship with parents who have tormented us with indifference or even sadism is complicated. Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 11 May 2022 To the sadism of white America, Davis contrasts the Native reverence for living creatures. Nathaniel Rich, The Atlantic, 15 Feb. 2022 The flip side of masochism is sadism (named after an eighteenth-century French nobleman), in which someone derives pleasure from inflicting pain of a physical or emotional nature. Angie Jones, Glamour, 17 Mar. 2022 See More
Word History
Etymology
International Scientific Vocabulary, from Marquis de Sade