schadenfreude

noun

scha·​den·​freu·​de ˈshä-dᵊn-ˌfrȯi-də 

often capitalized

: enjoyment obtained from the troubles of others

Did you know?

Schadenfreude is a combination of the German nouns Schaden, meaning "damage" or "harm," and Freude, meaning "joy." So it makes sense that schadenfreude means joy over some harm or misfortune suffered by another.

Examples of schadenfreude in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

She was dragged through the mud in a case of collective media schadenfreude. —Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 30 Oct. 2024

While this week’s Thursday night game might not put either team close to the top of their league, there’s certainly the chance for schadenfreude. —Chris Morris, Fortune, 17 Oct. 2024

This feeling is called schadenfreude, and it is often rooted in a sense of superiority over the subject of our ridicule. —Mark Travers, Forbes, 24 Sep. 2024

Ironically, the supposedly pro-democracy PDM coalition has thrilled to the schadenfreude of Khan’s destruction by the military. —Aqil Shah, Foreign Affairs, 16 June 2023

Word History

Etymology

German, from Schaden damage + Freude joy

First Known Use

1868, in the meaning defined above

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