schadenfreude
Schadenfreude describes the experience of pleasure, joy, or self-satisfaction derived from the misfortunes or failures of others. It captures that sneaky, often guilty feeling when you see someone you dislike—or perhaps someone who seems a bit too perfect—stumble or face a setback. Because it is a loanword from German, it carries a slightly intellectual or literary tone in English. It is not typically used to describe malicious cruelty, but rather a universal, human reaction to seeing the "high and mighty" brought down to earth. Use it when you want to describe that specific, complex mix of amusement and secret relief.
In conversation
Watching a rival fail
Did you see Mark trip and drop his tray in the cafeteria?
Did you see Mark trip and drop his tray in the cafeteria?
I did. I know it’s mean, but I felt a wave of schadenfreude.
I did. I know it’s mean, but I felt a wave of schadenfreude.
Used to acknowledge the guilt associated with feeling pleasure at a small, public social blunder.
Discussing a villain's downfall
The movie villain finally got caught by the police.
The movie villain finally got caught by the police.
It was pure schadenfreude watching him lose everything.
It was pure schadenfreude watching him lose everything.
Shows that the word is often used to describe satisfaction when an antagonist faces justice.
Examples
She couldn't help but feel a little schadenfreude when her arrogant boss made a mistake.
She couldn't help but feel a little schadenfreude when her arrogant boss made a mistake.
The tabloid press thrives on the public's sense of schadenfreude regarding celebrity scandals.
The tabloid press thrives on the public's sense of schadenfreude regarding celebrity scandals.
While schadenfreude is a common human emotion, it is often suppressed due to social expectations of empathy.
While schadenfreude is a common human emotion, it is often suppressed due to social expectations of empathy.
