Masochistic
adjective
Drawing pleasure from pain, usually in a sexual context.
The character in the novel had a masochistic obsession with his captor, despite being constantly tortured.
Often appears as...
- masochistic tendencies
- masochistic sexuality
Usage tips
Formal
Psychological
adjective
Enjoying activities or situations that most people would find very unpleasant or painful.
Some would say climbing up a mountain in freezing temperatures is a masochistic endeavor.
Often appears as...
- masochistic endeavor
- masochistic challenge
adjective
Drawing pleasure from pain, usually in a sexual context.
The character in the novel had a masochistic obsession with his captor, despite being constantly tortured.
Often appears as...
- masochistic tendencies
- masochistic sexuality
Usage tips
Formal
Psychological
adjective
Enjoying activities or situations that most people would find very unpleasant or painful.
Some would say climbing up a mountain in freezing temperatures is a masochistic endeavor.
Often appears as...
- masochistic endeavor
- masochistic challenge
Definition 1 of 2
Pro Tip 1/3Psychological Origin
Originally describes self-inflicted pain for gratification in psychological terms.
Her fascination with grim stories seemed almost masochistic in nature.
Pro Tip 2/3Not Always Literal
Can be used figuratively, not just for actual physical pain but also emotional or mental suffering.
He has a masochistic habit of reading negative comments about himself.
Pro Tip 3/3Negative Connotation
Often carries a negative judgment or connotation, suggesting an unhealthy habit or preference.
Her masochistic dedication to working despite the flu worried her friends.
Pro Tip 1/3Psychological Origin
Originally describes self-inflicted pain for gratification in psychological terms.
Her fascination with grim stories seemed almost masochistic in nature.
Pro Tip 2/3Not Always Literal
Can be used figuratively, not just for actual physical pain but also emotional or mental suffering.
He has a masochistic habit of reading negative comments about himself.
Pro Tip 3/3Negative Connotation
Often carries a negative judgment or connotation, suggesting an unhealthy habit or preference.
Her masochistic dedication to working despite the flu worried her friends.
Pro Tip 1/3Psychological Origin
Originally describes self-inflicted pain for gratification in psychological terms.
Her fascination with grim stories seemed almost masochistic in nature.
Pro Tip 2/3Not Always Literal
Can be used figuratively, not just for actual physical pain but also emotional or mental suffering.
He has a masochistic habit of reading negative comments about himself.
Pro Tip 3/3Negative Connotation
Often carries a negative judgment or connotation, suggesting an unhealthy habit or preference.
Her masochistic dedication to working despite the flu worried her friends.
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Video examples
The joyful, perplexing...
for a specific type of nerd. Today, I'm going to take you inside this strange, intellectually masochistic and incredibly joyful world. But first, I have to explain what I mean when I say "puzzle." A puzzle-hunt-style puzzle is a data set.
Video examples
Why Do These Women...
the ribcage caves like a squeezed balloon and the neck appears to rise higher from the collapsed collarbones the intentional deformation might seem masochistic to outsiders but to the
Video examples
The joyful, perplexing...
for a specific type of nerd. Today, I'm going to take you inside this strange, intellectually masochistic and incredibly joyful world. But first, I have to explain what I mean when I say "puzzle." A puzzle-hunt-style puzzle is a data set.
Video examples
Why Do These Women...
the ribcage caves like a squeezed balloon and the neck appears to rise higher from the collapsed collarbones the intentional deformation might seem masochistic to outsiders but to the
Example 1 of 2
Quote examples
Josh Radnor
American Director
I'm not a masochistic reader. If something is just too dense or not enjoyable, even though I'm told it should be good for me, I'll put it down. That said, most of what I read would be considered high-end or good for you, I suppose. But, I also think that reading should be enjoyable.
Quote examples
Abby Wambach
American Athlete
This might sound masochistic or narcissistic, I don't know, but when I'm not playing the game, the validations I feel about life are always through the hardships. I relate more to sadness, in a lot of ways, when I'm not playing.
Quote examples
Emma Thompson
English Actress
But when I lose my temper, I find it difficult to forgive myself. I feel I've failed. I can be calm in a crisis, in the face of death or things that hurt badly. I don't get hysterical, which may be masochistic of me.
Quote examples
Thomas Chatterton Williams
American Critic
Like neurotics obsessed with amputating their own healthy limbs, middle-class blacks concerned with 'keeping it real' are engaging in gratuitously self-destructive and violently masochistic behavior.
Quote examples
Josh Hartnett
Actor
I admire when people take the harder path, not because they are masochistic and want to beat themselves up, but because you actually kind of learn more and I think you grow more.
Quote examples
Jack Nicklaus
American Golfer
Golfers have a tendency to be very masochistic. They like to punish themselves for some reason. A lot of them like tough courses.
Quote examples
Jo-Wilfried Tsonga
French Athlete
If you play tennis it is to have these moments, moments of adrenaline, where it gets dangerous. It is a bit masochistic.
Quote examples
Gianluigi Buffon
Italian Athlete
In the end, you need to be a little masochistic to be a goalkeeper. A masochist and egocentric as well.
Quote examples
Mahesh Bhatt
Indian Director
I have only an appetite for masochistic truth, and only box-office collection figures interest me.
Quote examples
Anthony Bourdain
American Author
I love the masochistic aspect of eating seething, real Sichuan food in Sichuan Province.
Quote examples
Josh Radnor
American Director
I'm not a masochistic reader. If something is just too dense or not enjoyable, even though I'm told it should be good for me, I'll put it down. That said, most of what I read would be considered high-end or good for you, I suppose. But, I also think that reading should be enjoyable.
Quote examples
Abby Wambach
American Athlete
This might sound masochistic or narcissistic, I don't know, but when I'm not playing the game, the validations I feel about life are always through the hardships. I relate more to sadness, in a lot of ways, when I'm not playing.
Quote examples
Emma Thompson
English Actress
But when I lose my temper, I find it difficult to forgive myself. I feel I've failed. I can be calm in a crisis, in the face of death or things that hurt badly. I don't get hysterical, which may be masochistic of me.
Quote examples
Thomas Chatterton Williams
American Critic
Like neurotics obsessed with amputating their own healthy limbs, middle-class blacks concerned with 'keeping it real' are engaging in gratuitously self-destructive and violently masochistic behavior.
Quote examples
Josh Hartnett
Actor
I admire when people take the harder path, not because they are masochistic and want to beat themselves up, but because you actually kind of learn more and I think you grow more.
Quote examples
Jack Nicklaus
American Golfer
Golfers have a tendency to be very masochistic. They like to punish themselves for some reason. A lot of them like tough courses.
Quote examples
Jo-Wilfried Tsonga
French Athlete
If you play tennis it is to have these moments, moments of adrenaline, where it gets dangerous. It is a bit masochistic.
Quote examples
Gianluigi Buffon
Italian Athlete
In the end, you need to be a little masochistic to be a goalkeeper. A masochist and egocentric as well.
Quote examples
Mahesh Bhatt
Indian Director
I have only an appetite for masochistic truth, and only box-office collection figures interest me.
Quote examples
Anthony Bourdain
American Author
I love the masochistic aspect of eating seething, real Sichuan food in Sichuan Province.
Example 1 of 10
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