1. the tendency to derive pleasure from one’s own pain or humiliation
Usage: psychology
2. behavior that seems to invite suffering or punishment
Usage: informal

Examples

• His masochism led him to stay in relationships that caused him emotional pain.
• The athlete’s masochism drove her to train through injuries.
• Some critics viewed his career choices as pure masochism.
• The character’s masochism was a central theme in the novel.
• Her masochism manifested as constantly accepting blame for others’ mistakes.
• The psychologist studied various forms of masochism in her research.