Merriam-Webster Logo
Chatbot
  • Chatbot
  • Games
  • Word of the Day
  • Grammar
  • Word Finder
  • Slang
  • Newsletters
  • Wordplay
  • Rhymes
  • Thesaurus
  • Join MWU
    • Games
    • Word of the Day
    • Grammar
    • Wordplay
    • Slang
    • Rhymes
    • Word Finder
    • Newsletters
    • Thesaurus
    • Join MWU
    • Shop
    • Books
    • Merch
      • Log In
      • Username
      • My Words
      • Recents
      • Account
      • Log Out
Est. 1828
Popular in
Commonly Confused
'Capitol' or 'Capital'?
Which way: 'segue' or 'segway'?
'Demur' and 'Demure': Not to be Confused
'Lose' or 'loose'?
Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?
See All
Popular in
Grammar & Usage
Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate
Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?
7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words
'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide
Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See All
Popular in
Wordplay
Words from the 'Odyssey'
8 Soccer Words Just For Kicks
It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat
14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of
The Longest Long Words List
See All
Grammar & Usage Commonly Confused

What is the difference between a masochist and a sadist?

One likes to feel pain. The other likes to cause pain.

A masochist is a person who takes pleasure in their own pain and suffering. Someone who derives sexual gratification from being subjected to physical pain or humiliation is also called a masochist. A sadist is a person who takes pleasure in inflicting pain, punishment, or humiliation on others.

Share
Privacy Policy & Terms of Use

Word of the Day

effulgence

Listen to the pronunciation of effulgence

See Definitions and Examples »

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries.  Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
hangman letters and game
Hangman Lightning Round Figure out which word fits in the blanks.
See All

Popular

Commonly Confused

'Capitol' or 'Capital'?

Which way: 'segue' or 'segway'?

'Demur' and 'Demure': Not to be Confused

'Lose' or 'loose'?

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

See All

Grammar & Usage

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

See All

Wordplay

Words from the 'Odyssey'

8 Soccer Words Just For Kicks

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

See All
Merriam Webster

Learn a new word every day. Delivered to your inbox!

  • Help
  • About Us
  • Advertising Info
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • Instagram

© 2026 Merriam-Webster, Incorporated