Synonyms for Masturbate (verb) /ˈmæstərˌbeɪt/ means to stimulate one’s own genitals for sexual pleasure. It is the standard, neutral English verb for this act.
If you need another word for masturbate, the best choice depends on tone. Practise onanism is formal and historical, touch yourself and play with yourself are informal, while wank, jerk off, jack off, and toss yourself off are slang or taboo expressions.
What is another word for Masturbate
The most accurate synonyms and alternatives for masturbate are:
- practise self-abuse — older or historical term
- touch yourself — informal
- play with yourself — informal
- practise onanism — formal and historical
- wank — British slang
- jerk off — taboo slang
- jack off — taboo slang
- toss yourself off — British taboo slang
These terms are not equal in tone. For medical, academic, educational, or professional writing, masturbate is usually the clearest choice. Collins lists the alternatives above and marks their register, making it a strong lexical source for distinguishing them.
Direct Synonyms for Masturbate by Tone and Intent
| Synonym | Specific Meaning | Synonym | Specific Meaning |
| Practise self-abuse | Older term for masturbation | Touch yourself | Informal sexual self-stimulation phrase |
| Play with yourself | Informal phrase for masturbation | Practise onanism | Formal term for practising masturbation |
| Wank | British slang for masturbate | Jerk off | Taboo slang for masturbate |
| Jack off | Taboo slang for masturbate | Toss yourself off | British taboo slang for masturbate |
Collins’ current thesaurus explicitly lists these eight alternatives and provides register labels such as formal, informal, and taboo slang.
The safest synonym depends on your audience
| Context | Best choice |
| Medical writing | masturbate |
| Academic writing | masturbate |
| Health education | masturbate |
| General English | masturbate |
| Formal or historical discussion | practise onanism |
| Informal conversation | touch yourself |
| British slang | wank |
| Vulgar dialogue | jerk off / jack off |
The key point is simple: a synonym can share the core meaning without being interchangeable in every context.
Where Masturbate Comes From
Parts of Speech: Verb
Syllable: mas-tur-bate
Pronunciation: UK /ˈmæstəˌbeɪt/; US /ˈmæstərˌbeɪt/
Origin: Masturbate comes from Latin masturbārī, meaning to engage in masturbation. Collins gives the Latin origin as uncertain and notes that an older explanation linked the word to Latin manus “hand” and stuprāre “to defile.”
Prefix/Suffix Breakdown: There is no reliable modern English prefix-and-suffix breakdown for masturbate. Its direct source is the Latin verb masturbārī. The popular claim that it simply means “hand + defile” should therefore not be presented as a certain etymology.
Word Family of Masturbate
The main grammatical forms are:
- masturbate — verb
- masturbates — third-person singular
- masturbated — past tense and past participle
- masturbating — present participle
- masturbation — noun
- masturbator — noun
- masturbatory — adjective
Dictionary sources confirm these related forms.
1. Practise Self-Abuse
Pronunciation: /ˈpræktɪs self əˈbjuːs/
Meaning: An older expression referring to masturbation.
Examples:
- Older medical texts sometimes used self-abuse for masturbation.
- The historian explains how earlier writers described masturbation as self-abuse.
Usage: This is not the best neutral modern replacement for masturbate. It can sound dated and moralizing. Use it mainly when discussing historical terminology. Collins lists practise self-abuse as a synonym.
2. Touch Yourself
Pronunciation: /tʌtʃ jərˈself/
Meaning: An informal phrase meaning to sexually stimulate yourself.
Examples:
- The character uses touch yourself instead of the clinical term.
- The guide explains that touch yourself is an informal expression.
Usage: This phrase is softer and less clinical than masturbate. It can also be ambiguous without sexual context. Collins labels it informal.
3. Play With Yourself
Pronunciation: /pleɪ wɪð jərˈself/
Meaning: An informal phrase for masturbating.
Examples:
- The dialogue uses play with yourself as a euphemistic expression.
- The writer chose play with yourself to make the dialogue less clinical.
Usage: It is indirect and informal. In some contexts, it may sound playful or euphemistic rather than precise. Collins labels it informal.
4. Practise Onanism
Pronunciation: /ˈpræktɪs ˈəʊnənɪzəm/
Meaning: A formal or historical expression for practising masturbation.
Examples:
- The historical text discusses attitudes toward onanism.
- The researcher examines the old use of practise onanism.
Usage: This term is uncommon in everyday modern English. It fits historical, literary, or formal discussions better than ordinary conversation. Collins labels it formal.
5. Wank
Pronunciation: /wæŋk/
Meaning: British slang for masturbate.
Examples:
- The British character says that he used to wank.
- The writer uses wank to preserve the character’s informal British voice.
Usage: Wank is slang and can sound vulgar. It is not suitable for most academic, medical, or professional writing. Collins classifies it as taboo slang.
6. Jerk Off
Pronunciation: /dʒɜːrk ɒf/ or /dʒɝːk ɑːf/
Meaning: A vulgar slang expression meaning masturbate.
Examples:
- The character uses jerk off in casual dialogue.
- The medical article uses masturbate, not jerk off.
Usage: This is highly informal and vulgar. It works mainly in dialogue, comedy, or deliberately crude writing. Collins classifies it as taboo slang.
7. Jack Off
Pronunciation: /dʒæk ɒf/ or /dʒæk ɑːf/
Meaning: A vulgar slang expression for masturbate.
Examples:
- The character uses jack off in a casual conversation.
- The formal report avoids jack off and uses masturbate.
Usage: It is crude and informal. It should not replace masturbate in professional or academic prose. Collins classifies it as taboo slang.
8. Toss Yourself Off
Pronunciation: /tɒs jərˈself ɒf/
Meaning: British taboo slang for masturbate.
Examples:
- The British comedy uses toss yourself off as crude slang.
- The formal article avoids toss yourself off.
Usage: This is strongly informal and vulgar. It is mainly useful when reproducing a character’s voice or discussing British slang. Collins classifies it as taboo slang.
Related Terms That Are Not Exact Verb Synonyms
Not every word associated with masturbation should be called a direct synonym.
Self-Stimulation
Part of speech: Noun phrase
Meaning: Stimulation of oneself, often sexual but potentially broader.
Use: Medical, educational, or explanatory writing.
Important: Self-stimulation can be broader than masturbate, so it is a close related term, not a perfect one-word replacement.
Self-Pleasure
Part of speech: Noun phrase
Meaning: Sexual pleasure obtained by oneself.
Use: Softer, euphemistic, or accessible writing.
Important: It is usually a noun phrase rather than a direct verb replacement.
Autoeroticism
Part of speech: Noun
Meaning: Sexual excitement or gratification generated by oneself.
Use: Academic, psychological, or sexological contexts.
Important: Autoeroticism covers a broader concept and should not automatically replace the verb masturbate.
Solo Sex
Part of speech: Noun phrase
Meaning: Sexual activity performed alone.
Use: Informal educational or sexual-health contexts.
Important: Solo sex is broader than masturbation.
Self-Gratification
Part of speech: Noun phrase
Meaning: Satisfaction or pleasure obtained by oneself.
Use: Context-dependent writing.
Important: It can refer to nonsexual satisfaction too, so it is not an exact synonym.
Collins’ entry for masturbation separately identifies terms such as self-abuse, onanism, playing with yourself, and autoeroticism, which supports treating some of these as related noun-level alternatives rather than forcing them into the verb-synonym list.
Formal Synonyms for Masturbate
If you need a formal alternative, the choices are limited.
Best choices
- Masturbate — neutral and precise.
- Practise onanism — formal and historical.
- Engage in masturbation — formal noun-based construction.
- Sexual self-stimulation — clinical or explanatory phrasing.
The important distinction is that masturbate itself is already the standard neutral verb. You do not need a more complicated word in formal writing. Cambridge defines it directly as touching or rubbing one’s sexual organs for sexual pleasure.
Medical and Academic Alternatives of Synonyms for Masturbate
For medical, academic, and educational writing, clarity matters more than euphemism.
Recommended
- masturbate
- masturbation
- sexual self-stimulation
- self-stimulation
- engage in masturbation
Avoid unless discussing language
- wank
- jerk off
- jack off
- toss yourself off
- play with yourself
A research paper should normally say:
“Participants reported how often they masturbated.”
rather than:
“Participants reported how often they jerked off.”
The first version is precise, neutral, and appropriate for formal writing.
British vs. American Usage of Synonyms for Masturbate
The core word masturbate is standard in both British and American English, although the pronunciation differs slightly. Cambridge gives /ˈmæs.tə.beɪt/ for UK English and /ˈmæs.tɚ.beɪt/ for US English.
Some slang differs more clearly by region.
British:
- wank
- toss yourself off
American and widely understood informal slang:
- jerk off
- jack off
These labels describe common usage, not strict geographic limits. Slang can spread across English-speaking regions.
Slang Synonyms for Masturbate
Search results often contain dozens or even hundreds of slang expressions. That does not mean all of them deserve a place in a reliable synonym guide.
The strongest dictionary-supported slang terms include:
- wank
- jerk off
- jack off
- toss yourself off
Other expressions, such as beat the meat and whack off, are also documented as vulgar slang. Dictionary.com, for example, defines beat the meat as vulgar slang for masturbate and whack off as slang/vulgar slang for masturbate.
These should be treated as slang alternatives, not neutral synonyms.
Masturbate vs. Masturbation
Masturbate is a verb.
“They masturbate.”
Masturbation is a noun.
“The study examines masturbation.”
Cambridge and Dictionary.com both distinguish the verb masturbate from the noun masturbation.
Do not use masturbation as a direct grammatical replacement for masturbate.
Masturbate vs. Self-Stimulation
Masturbate specifically names the act.
Self-stimulation is broader and can describe different kinds of self-stimulation.
Therefore:
- masturbate = precise verb
- self-stimulation = broader noun phrase
In health or academic writing, the exact choice depends on what the writer wants to describe.
Masturbate vs. Self-Pleasure
Masturbate is direct and neutral.
Self-pleasure is softer and more euphemistic.
For example:
“The article discusses masturbation.”
is more precise than:
“The article discusses self-pleasure.”
The second phrase may be useful when the writer wants a gentler tone.
Masturbate vs. Onanism
Masturbate is the normal modern verb.
Onanism is a formal or historical noun.
Therefore, these words are related but are not interchangeable in the same grammatical position.
Use masturbate for modern general writing. Use onanism when historical or formal terminology is relevant.
Masturbate vs. Wank
Both can refer to the same act.
Their tone is different:
- masturbate — neutral
- wank — British slang and vulgar
Collins specifically labels wank as taboo slang.
Masturbate vs. Jerk Off
Both can refer to masturbation, but jerk off is much more vulgar and informal.
Use:
- masturbate in health writing
- masturbate in academic writing
- jerk off in informal dialogue when the character’s voice requires it
When Not to Use These Synonyms for Masturbate
Do not use every alternative in every setting.
Do not use slang in formal writing
Avoid wank, jerk off, and jack off in academic papers, medical reports, workplace documents, and professional articles.
Do not use historical language as modern neutral language
Self-abuse may sound judgmental or outdated today. Use it when discussing historical terminology.
Do not use euphemisms when precision matters
Play with yourself and touch yourself can be ambiguous without context.
Do not call broader terms exact synonyms
Self-stimulation, self-pleasure, and solo sex can overlap with masturbation but have broader meanings.
Do not add rare slang simply to increase the word count
A long list is not automatically a better synonym guide. Reliable lexical classification is more useful than a collection of obscure slang.
Common Traps & Nuance Distinctions of Synonyms for Masturbate
Is “self-pleasure” a synonym for masturbate?
It is a related euphemistic term, but it is not a direct grammatical synonym because it is normally a noun phrase.
Is “self-stimulation” a synonym for masturbate?
It is a close related term. In sexual-health contexts it can refer to masturbation, but its meaning is broader.
Is “onanism” a synonym for masturbate?
It is closely related, but onanism is a noun. Practise onanism is the corresponding formal phrase listed by Collins.
Is “wank” a synonym for masturbate?
Yes, in the sense of meaning, but it is British taboo slang, so it is not an appropriate neutral substitute.
Is “jerk off” a synonym for masturbate?
Yes, as a slang expression. It is vulgar and should be used only when the context supports that register.
Opposite Words: Antonyms for “Masturbate”
Masturbate does not have one perfect dictionary antonym. Its opposites depend on whether you mean stopping the action, avoiding sexual stimulation, or choosing abstinence.
Direct Contextual Opposites
- Abstain — deliberately avoid sexual activity.
Example: “They chose to abstain.” - Refrain — deliberately avoid an action.
Example: “He decided to refrain from masturbating.” - Avoid — choose not to engage in something.
Example: “She avoids sexual stimulation.” - Suppress — restrain an urge or response.
Example: “He tried to suppress the urge.”
Operational and Contextual Opposites
- Remain celibate — abstain from sexual activity.
Example: “The character chooses to remain celibate.” - Practise sexual abstinence — deliberately avoid sexual activity.
Example: “The program promotes sexual abstinence.” - Refrain from sexual stimulation — avoid sexual self-stimulation.
Example: “The participant chose to refrain from sexual stimulation.” - Engage in partnered sex — sexual activity involving another person rather than solitary sexual activity.
Example: “The study compares masturbation with partnered sex.”
These are contextual opposites, not exact lexical antonyms.
Word Choice by Search Intent of Synonyms for Masturbate
Another Word for Masturbate
The most useful alternatives are:
touch yourself, play with yourself, practise onanism, wank, jerk off, jack off, and toss yourself off.
The correct choice depends on register.
Formal Synonym for Masturbate
Use masturbate for neutral formal writing. For historical or highly formal language, practise onanism may fit.
Medical Term for Masturbate
The standard medical and clinical verb is still masturbate. Sexual self-stimulation is a useful explanatory phrase.
Polite Word for Masturbate
There is no need to avoid the word masturbate in neutral health writing. If a softer expression is needed, self-pleasure or touch yourself may work depending on context.
Slang for Masturbate
Common dictionary-supported slang includes wank, jerk off, jack off, and toss yourself off. Collins marks these as taboo slang.
British Slang for Masturbate
Wank and toss yourself off are established British slang expressions.
American Slang for Masturbate
Jerk off and jack off are common American informal/slang expressions.
What Major Dictionaries Say
Cambridge Dictionary: defines masturbate as touching or rubbing one’s sexual organs for sexual pleasure and gives both UK and US pronunciations.
Collins Dictionary: defines the verb and lists alternatives including practise self-abuse, touch yourself, play with yourself, practise onanism, wank, jerk off, jack off, and toss yourself off, with register labels.
Dictionary.com: defines masturbate as engaging in masturbation and traces the word to Latin masturbātus, the past participle of masturbārī.
Dictionary.com also documents slang expressions such as beat the meat and whack off, but these belong in a slang category rather than the neutral synonym list.
FAQs about Synonyms for Masturbate
What is another word for masturbate?
Common alternatives include touch yourself, play with yourself, practise onanism, wank, jerk off, jack off, and toss yourself off. The expressions differ greatly in formality and regional use.
What is the formal synonym for masturbate?
Masturbate itself is the standard neutral term. Practise onanism is a more formal and historical alternative.
What is a polite word for masturbate?
For neutral writing, masturbate is usually the clearest choice. Softer expressions include self-pleasure and touch yourself, although these are less precise.
What is the British slang word for masturbate?
Wank is a well-established British slang verb for masturbate. Toss yourself off is another British taboo expression. Collins labels both as taboo slang.
Is “self-stimulation” the same as masturbation?
Not always. Self-stimulation is broader and can refer to forms of stimulation beyond masturbation. In a sexual context, however, it can describe masturbation.
Conclusion
The best neutral synonym for masturbate is usually masturbate itself, because it is precise, standard, and widely understood. Practise onanism works in formal or historical contexts, while touch yourself and play with yourself are informal alternatives. Wank, jerk off, jack off, and toss yourself off convey the same core idea but belong to slang or taboo registers, so they should be used only when the context calls for them.
