Word Finder
What's the word for enjoying someone else s misfortune?
The word you're looking for
This means pleasure you feel when someone else has bad luck. It is the best single word for enjoying another person's misfortune.
Other words that fit
Use this when someone openly shows pleasure about another person's failure or pain.
Use this for a more general cruel attitude, not just the feeling itself.
Use this when the pleasure comes from wanting to hurt or annoy someone.
Use this for a milder, less direct way to describe the attitude.
Why this word
The word most people use for enjoying someone else’s misfortune is schadenfreude. It is borrowed from German, so it can feel a little formal or literary in English. In everyday speech, people also say someone is gloating, especially if they show their pleasure openly. Be careful: gloating is the action or display, while schadenfreude is the feeling.
In context
- He felt schadenfreude when his rival failed.
- Her smile showed clear schadenfreude.
- They denied any schadenfreude, but it was obvious.
Other concepts to find a word for
Frequently asked questions
- Is schadenfreude a real English word?
- Yes. English speakers use it, though it comes from German.
- Is there a simpler English word for schadenfreude?
- Not one exact word. Gloating is the closest common word, but it is not exactly the same.
- Is schadenfreude negative?
- Yes. It usually describes an unkind or shameful feeling.