5

Schadenfreude is the joy or pleasure derived from the misfortunes of others. What is the word for the feeling of discomfort derived from witnessing the misfortunes of others?

Laurel
  • 66,382
scarletlaine
  • 51
  • Related: http://english.stackexchange.com/q/11044/2085 http://english.stackexchange.com/q/61008/2085 http://english.stackexchange.com/q/49949/2085 http://english.stackexchange.com/q/79526/2085 – tchrist Oct 18 '12 at 00:35
  • 4
    Sounds a lot like empathy in a general sense. Pity or angst may apply. Wikipedia refers to it as "empathic distress". – Zairja Oct 18 '12 at 00:49

2 Answers2

7

Compassion: "sympathetic consciousness of others' distress together with a desire to alleviate it".

RegDwigнt
  • 97,231
6

Commiseration: a feeling of sympathy and sorrow for the misfortunes of others

I think there is a subtle difference between commiseration and compassion, where commiseration involves actually feeling miserable along with the other person while compassion aims more toward the desire to alleviate it.

RegDwigнt
  • 97,231
Jim
  • 33,381
  • 2
    Good point. Compassion: I feel your pain and I want to help you alleviate it. Commiseration: I feel your pain and have to cry about it as much as you do, but I don't necessarily want to help you alleviate it. Schadenfreude: I see your pain and it gives me great pleasure. Is there anything I can do to increase it? –  Oct 18 '12 at 01:54