single word requests - People that rejoice in others' suffering



I would like to know what terms can be used in English to refer to people that rejoice in other people's suffering (as opposed to empathizing with such people).


What are some of the motivations that would cause people to feel this way? Is it an inborn trait? Is it that people suffer so upon seeing other people suffer they can finally feel equal to others as opposed to feeling less than others?



Answer



schadenfreude: pleasure derived by someone from another person's misfortune


I experience it often myself. I don't like the feeling, but it seems innate. It is related to envy and jealousy. Maybe it makes us more competitive.


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