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What's the word for taking pleasure in someone else s misfortune?
The word you're looking for
This word means pleasure you feel when someone else has bad luck. It fits your concept exactly, and it is the most common single word for this idea.
Other words that fit
Use this for showing obvious pleasure over another person's failure, especially in speech or behaviour.
Use this in simpler English when you want the meaning, not the one-word term.
This is a rare formal synonym, but it is much less common than schadenfreude.
Why this word
Schadenfreude is the standard English word for taking pleasure in another person's misfortune. It comes from German, but English speakers use it often in writing and conversation. Be careful not to confuse it with gloating, which means openly showing your pleasure. If you want a simpler phrase, you can say “malicious delight” or “pleasure in someone else’s misfortune.”
In context
- He felt schadenfreude when his rival failed.
- Her schadenfreude was obvious in her smile.
- The story explores human schadenfreude.
Other concepts to find a word for
Frequently asked questions
- Is schadenfreude a negative word?
- Yes. It usually suggests an unkind or shameful feeling.
- Is there an easy English phrase for it?
- Yes. You can say “pleasure in someone else’s misfortune.”
- Is gloating the same as schadenfreude?
- Not exactly. Gloating is the open display of pleasure after someone else fails.