Core Sense
Ill will at someone else's good.
Missgunst is not just wanting what another person has. It adds a sharper feeling of resentment that the other person should not enjoy it.
German Word Study
Missgunst
/ˈmɪsɡʊnst/
Missgunst bezeichnet ein missgelauntes, abwertendes Gefühl gegenüber dem Glück, Vorteil oder Erfolg anderer.
In English, the closest gloss is resentful envy or ill will toward another person's good fortune.
- Wortart
- Substantiv, feminin
- Register
- formell bis neutral
- Closest English
- resentful envy
German Nuance
Näher an Missfallen als an bloßem Neid.
Das Wort beschreibt nicht nur einen Mangel, sondern eine ablehnende Haltung gegenüber fremdem Vorteil, Glück oder Ansehen.
Fast Synonyms
Neid, Gehässigkeit, Misswollen.
Depending on context, Missgunst may overlap with envy, spite, or ill will, but usually keeps a lexical focus on denied generosity.
Definition
Ein Gefühl, das dem anderen seinen Vorteil, sein Glück oder seinen Erfolg nicht gönnt.
Practical English gloss: resentment at another person's advantages.
Usage Signal
The word often appears when generosity is missing.
Missgunst points to a relational stance: the speaker is not merely lacking something, but reacting negatively to another person's gain.
- Common around status, praise, promotion, wealth, and social approval.
- Usually stronger and colder than a casual admission of envy.
- Useful when the tone implies pettiness, bitterness, or mean-spirited comparison.
Nuance
Missgunst sits next to envy, but it is not identical to every form of envy.
Missgunst
Resentment that someone else gets to keep or enjoy something good.
Neid
Broader envy. It can describe wanting what the other person has, without always stressing hostility.
Eifersucht
Jealousy, often linked to fear of losing affection, place, or attention rather than resenting another person's success.
Examples
Original examples that show the word in motion.
Seine Missgunst war in jedem Kommentar spürbar, sobald ihre Beförderung erwähnt wurde.
His resentful envy was obvious in every remark once her promotion came up.
Aus reiner Missgunst wollte sie ihm den Erfolg nicht gönnen.
Out of sheer ill will, she could not bring herself to be happy for his success.
Wo Anerkennung fehlt, wächst leicht Missgunst.
Where recognition is scarce, resentful envy can grow quickly.
Der Text kritisiert weniger offenen Hass als die leise Missgunst im Alltag.
The text criticizes not open hatred so much as the quiet everyday form of resentful envy.
Etymology Snapshot
The word is tied to not granting someone something good.
The core idea comes from withholding goodwill: a refusal to let the other person simply have their luck, praise, or advantage in peace.
Search Intent
Why people search for “missgunst”.
Most visitors want a quick English meaning, a pronunciation guide, and the difference between Missgunst and Neid. This page is structured around exactly that.
FAQ
Short answers for the most common missgunst questions.
What does Missgunst mean in English?
It usually means resentful envy, ill will, or displeasure at another person's good fortune or advantage.
Is Missgunst a negative word?
Yes. It almost always names a negative social emotion and is often used critically.
How is Missgunst different from Neid?
Missgunst normally sounds colder and more hostile. Neid can be broader; Missgunst implies the other person is begrudged their good outcome.
How do you pronounce Missgunst?
A simple IPA guide is /ˈmɪsɡʊnst/.