schadenfreude

[ shahd-n-froi-duh ]

/ ˈʃɑd nˌfrɔɪ də /

noun

satisfaction or pleasure felt at someone else's misfortune.

Nearby words

scfm, scg, sch., sch.mus.b., schacht, schadenfreude, schaerbeek, schaerf, schafer method, schaffhausen, schafskopf

Origin of schadenfreude

1890–95; < German, equivalent to Schaden harm + Freude joy

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for schadenfreude

After having the issue taken away from them in 2012, their schadenfreude has been epic.
The Rhinohawks Come Roaring Back|James Poulos|September 7, 2014|DAILY BEAST
There was no shortage of schadenfreude, with Democrats joyfully noting just how dumb those silly, delusional Republicans were.
FiveThirtyHate: Dems Attack Nate Silver|Kristen Soltis Anderson|March 25, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Still, Clinton aides exulted in schadenfreude when their enemies faltered.
The Hillary-Haters’ Book Club Will Never Run Out of Things to Read|Michelle Cottle|January 15, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Across the aisle, France's majority Socialist Party has restrained its schadenfreude.
France’s Petty Politics Brings Christmas Early to Scandal Lovers|Tracy McNicoll|December 15, 2012|DAILY BEAST

Maybe if you stare long enough at the catastrophe, you might work through your schadenfreude to its opposite: empathy.
GOP Primaries Provide a Feast for Our Schadenfreude Appetite|Eric G. Wilson|January 19, 2012|DAILY BEAST
There is only one language in the world which has a word to express that type of mirth; the word is Schadenfreude.
Lord Tony's Wife|Baroness Emmuska Orczy
Bertha guesses its contents and revels in the luxury of pity and schadenfreude.
August Strindberg, the Spirit of Revolt|L. (Lizzy) Lind-af-Hageby
"I can easily believe you don't approve it," she said with a gleam of Schadenfreude.
The Messenger|Elizabeth Robins
The curious and expressive German word Schadenfreude cannot be translated into any other language.
German Problems and Personalities|Charles Sarolea
The word used means, like the German "Schadenfreude," rejoicing at another's injury.
Euripedes and His Age|Gilbert Murray

British Dictionary definitions for schadenfreude

Schadenfreude

/ German (ˈʃaːdənfrɔydə) /

noun

delight in another's misfortune

Word Origin for Schadenfreude

German: from Schaden harm + Freude joy

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012