BDSM
abbreviation or noun
: sexual activity involving such practices as the use of physical restraints, the granting and relinquishing of control, and the infliction of pain
He provided a vivid insight into the life of a dedicated follower of bondage, discipline, sadism and masochism (BDSM) as he gave evidence to his trial at Guildford Crown Court.—
Sam Marsden
Sam MarsdenBDSM refers to a range of sexual preferences that generally relate to enjoyment of physical control, psychological control, and/or pain.—Ali Hebert and Angela Weaver
Ali Hebert and Angela WeaverWhatever one thinks of BDSM, given the pain and intensity associated with it, it certainly doesn't come across as a stress-reducing activity—to most outsiders, there wouldn't appear to be anything relaxing about whips and handcuffs.—Roni Jacobson
Roni JacobsonBDSM communities have been quick to distance themselves from Fifty Shades, and, indeed, from any beliefs or behaviours incompatible with informed, enthusiastic and uncoerced consent.—Emer O'Toole
Emer O'TooleExamples of BDSM in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
For the entire 15-minute show, they’ve been contorted into pieces of furniture Lawson fabricated, pieces befitting something between an asylum and BDSM dungeon, and reminiscent of Allen Jones’s 1960s Pop sculpture series, which depicts fiberglass women in fetishware as home objects.
—Anna Peele, Vanity Fair, 6 Feb. 2026
In the film, Skarsgård plays a member of a gay biker gang who enters into a BDSM relationship with Melling's character, who has no experience in that world.
—Mike Miller, Entertainment Weekly, 6 Feb. 2026
Perhaps there really are BDSM biker gangs hosting afternoon picnics with serving boys tied spread-eagled on a buffet table.
—Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 5 Feb. 2026
Melling first broke out for his role as Dudley Dursley in the Harry Potter films, a far cry from the world of BDSM.
—Leigh Nordstrom, Footwear News, 5 Feb. 2026
And his recent work, from the underrated Murderbot to his newest role in the gay BDSM comedy Pillion, reflects his offbeat, silly tastes.
—Charu Sinha, Vulture, 1 Feb. 2026
Olivia Wilde cosplaying as a BDSM Norma Desmond.
—David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 24 Jan. 2026
By contrast, Erika is a vamp, a woman whose wardrobe encompasses high fashion and BDSM — maybe this is what makes Erika choose him to be her assistant, just as her icy, dominatrix cool appeals to the refreshingly artless Elliot.
—Damon Wise, Deadline, 23 Jan. 2026
The upcoming film Pillion, starring Alexander Skarsgård and Harry Melling as men in an intricate BDSM relationship, is similarly unflinching in its demands that its audience interface with the whole of its characters.
—Rich Juzwiak, Time, 21 Jan. 2026
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Anna Peele, Vanity Fair, 6 Feb. 2026
In the film, Skarsgård plays a member of a gay biker gang who enters into a BDSM relationship with Melling's character, who has no experience in that world.
—Mike Miller, Entertainment Weekly, 6 Feb. 2026
Perhaps there really are BDSM biker gangs hosting afternoon picnics with serving boys tied spread-eagled on a buffet table.
—Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 5 Feb. 2026
Melling first broke out for his role as Dudley Dursley in the Harry Potter films, a far cry from the world of BDSM.
—Leigh Nordstrom, Footwear News, 5 Feb. 2026
And his recent work, from the underrated Murderbot to his newest role in the gay BDSM comedy Pillion, reflects his offbeat, silly tastes.
—Charu Sinha, Vulture, 1 Feb. 2026
Olivia Wilde cosplaying as a BDSM Norma Desmond.
—David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 24 Jan. 2026
By contrast, Erika is a vamp, a woman whose wardrobe encompasses high fashion and BDSM — maybe this is what makes Erika choose him to be her assistant, just as her icy, dominatrix cool appeals to the refreshingly artless Elliot.
—Damon Wise, Deadline, 23 Jan. 2026
The upcoming film Pillion, starring Alexander Skarsgård and Harry Melling as men in an intricate BDSM relationship, is similarly unflinching in its demands that its audience interface with the whole of its characters.
—Rich Juzwiak, Time, 21 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“BDSM.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/BDSM. Accessed 17 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
