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.
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web But instead of her usual teachings for Saturday service, Hannah delivered a homily of schadenfreude aimed directly at HBO Max, the enemy of Remnant and the Shamblin family. 
Kate Aurthur, Variety, 25 Aug. 2022 That tweet was resurfaced by many liberals on Tuesday, indulging in schadenfreude after Cawthorn conceded to state Sen. Chuck Edwards in a western North Carolina district. Los Angeles Times, 17 May 2022 People may be cynical about celebrity and indulge in schadenfreude when its pride is awarded the inevitable fall. Washington Post, 27 Jan. 2022 Back when the program stagnated, rival fans indulging in schadenfreude used to snicker and say the Wolverines needed a GPS to find Indianapolis, site of the Big Ten title game. Rainer Sabin, USA TODAY, 5 Dec. 2021 From Elizabeth Taylor's many divorces, to the loves (and lusts) of King Henry VIII, to modern obsessions like the couples of RHONY and, of course, Bennifer this show is sure to sate your schadenfreude appetite. Lauren Hubbard, Town & Country, 6 Aug. 2022 Billionaire Bill Gross’ infamous fight with his Laguna Beach neighbor over a 22-foot sculpture was the stuff of schadenfreude legend — at least for those who enjoy reading about petty squabbles between the rich. Jack Flemming, Los Angeles Times, 25 June 2022 Six months after that, the Nationals won a World Series and enjoyed no shortage of schadenfreude as Harper and his $330 million contract stayed home. Gabe Lacques, USA TODAY, 2 Aug. 2022 There is a bit of schadenfreude among Calvert’s critics. Seema Mehta, Los Angeles Times, 14 July 2022 See More
Kate Aurthur, Variety, 25 Aug. 2022 That tweet was resurfaced by many liberals on Tuesday, indulging in schadenfreude after Cawthorn conceded to state Sen. Chuck Edwards in a western North Carolina district. Los Angeles Times, 17 May 2022 People may be cynical about celebrity and indulge in schadenfreude when its pride is awarded the inevitable fall. Washington Post, 27 Jan. 2022 Back when the program stagnated, rival fans indulging in schadenfreude used to snicker and say the Wolverines needed a GPS to find Indianapolis, site of the Big Ten title game. Rainer Sabin, USA TODAY, 5 Dec. 2021 From Elizabeth Taylor's many divorces, to the loves (and lusts) of King Henry VIII, to modern obsessions like the couples of RHONY and, of course, Bennifer this show is sure to sate your schadenfreude appetite. Lauren Hubbard, Town & Country, 6 Aug. 2022 Billionaire Bill Gross’ infamous fight with his Laguna Beach neighbor over a 22-foot sculpture was the stuff of schadenfreude legend — at least for those who enjoy reading about petty squabbles between the rich. Jack Flemming, Los Angeles Times, 25 June 2022 Six months after that, the Nationals won a World Series and enjoyed no shortage of schadenfreude as Harper and his $330 million contract stayed home. Gabe Lacques, USA TODAY, 2 Aug. 2022 There is a bit of schadenfreude among Calvert’s critics. Seema Mehta, Los Angeles Times, 14 July 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
German, from Schaden damage + Freude joy
First Known Use
1868, in the meaning defined above