S and M
5 synonyms for S and M, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — Sexual activity involving the deliberate giving and receiving of pain, restraint or humiliation for erotic pleasure, practised between consenting partners.
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use S and M
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
into S and M
S and M club
S and M gear
Sexual and informal but not obscene; it appears in journalism and clinical writing without euphemism.
Etymology
An initialism of sadism and masochism, the two halves of sadomasochism.
Full origin of S and M →Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between S and M and BDSM?
S and M covers only the sadism-and-masochism side, meaning erotic pain and humiliation. BDSM is the broader umbrella, taking in bondage and discipline and dominance and submission as well. Every S and M practice sits inside BDSM, but plenty of BDSM involves no pain at all.
Is S and M the same as abuse?
No. The defining feature of S and M is informed consent, negotiated limits and usually a safe word that stops the scene immediately. Anything that continues without consent is abuse, not S and M.
How is S and M written?
You will see S and M, S&M, S/M and SM, all pronounced as the two letters. S&M is the most common written form.
