schadenfreude

noun, often capitalized

scha·den·freu·de | \ ˈshä-dᵊn-ˌfrȯi-də

How to pronounce schadenfreude (audio)

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Definition of schadenfreude

: enjoyment obtained from the troubles of others

Examples of schadenfreude in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web But to see Trump thoroughly trounced and humiliated at the polls and the Republicans crushed in Congress would provide more than schadenfreude. — Gary Younge, The New York Review of Books, "Rashly Filling the Void," 3 Nov. 2020 According to social media, this moment was a pure shot of schadenfreude to fans watching at home, many of whom felt Nicole frequently played the victim after criticizing her castmates. — Emily Yahr, Washington Post, "How ‘Big Brother’ (barely) redeemed itself after one of the most boring seasons ever," 29 Oct. 2020 But at its best, schadenfreude is actually a recognition of ironic justice. — Lee M. Pierce, The Conversation, "Schadenfreude over Trump’s COVID-19 diagnosis was more about cosmic justice than joy in another’s pain," 14 Oct. 2020 Here’s why some people—and maybe even you—experience schadenfreude. — Korin Miller, Health.com, "What Does 'Schadenfreude' Mean, and What Does It Have to Do With Donald Trump Getting COVID-19?," 6 Oct. 2020 In fact, lookups for schadenfreude went up 30,500% overnight. — Hannah Rimm, refinery29.com, "Searches For “Schadenfreude” Spike 30,500% After Trump Announces COVID Diagnosis," 5 Oct. 2020 The world expressed sympathy as well as a bit of schadenfreude, at the news Trump tested positive for coronavirus. — David Jackson, USA TODAY, "President Trump heading to Walter Reed hospital hours after COVID-19 diagnosis," 3 Oct. 2020 If you were pissed or outraged at Trump before Thursday night, that anger has likely not dissipated between then and now; it’s just been briefly abetted by either a sliver of schadenfreude or a pang of guilt. — Nick Martin, The New Republic, "You Don’t Have to Pray for Trump," 2 Oct. 2020 World leaders were quick to weigh in, with official sympathy from the top and something approaching schadenfreude elsewhere. — The Associated Press, NOLA.com, "Shock, sympathy, criticism: World reacts after Trump tests positive for coronavirus," 2 Oct. 2020

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'schadenfreude.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Last Updated

11 Nov 2020

Cite this Entry

“Schadenfreude.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/schadenfreude. Accessed 20 Nov. 2020.

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