schadenfreude
/ˈʃɑːd(ə)nˌfrɔɪdə
/ /ˈʃɑːdənˌfrɔydə/noun [mass noun]
Pleasure derived by someone from another person’s misfortune: a business that thrives on Schadenfreude a frisson of Schadenfreude...
- All this is a bonus for the former BBC royal correspondent, who admits to a frisson of Schadenfreude when watching her replacement shiver outside those crested gates.
- With a quiver of delightful Schadenfreude, it turned out none had ever backed the PR firm's campaign.
- This unremitting focus on just one race participant is understandable, but the hint of Schadenfreude in the tone was unmistakable.
Origin
German Schadenfreude, from Schaden 'harm' + Freude 'joy'.