sadden

verb

sad·​den ˈsa-dᵊn How to pronounce sadden (audio)
saddened; saddening ˈsad-niŋ How to pronounce sadden (audio)
ˈsa-dᵊn-iŋ
Synonyms of saddennext

transitive verb

: to make sad

intransitive verb

: to become sad

Synonyms of sadden

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Examples of sadden in a Sentence

It saddens me that we could not agree. We were saddened to see how ill she looks. She was saddened over the death of her friend. Her face saddened when she heard the news.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Parishioners at Saint Agnes said they were saddened by the schism and would continue to pray for a united church. — ABC News, 3 July 2026 Christopher Lambert, Pendley’s uncle, said he was saddened by her death. — Minyvonne Burke, NBC news, 10 June 2026 Mahomes’ knee injury saddened him, however. — Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 18 June 2026 Sandy Shantz, the mayor of Woolwich, where Elmira is located, told the outlet that she was saddened by the accident. — Adam England, PEOPLE, 15 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for sadden

Word History

First Known Use

1565, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of sadden was in 1565

Rhymes for sadden

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Browse Nearby Words

Sādāt
sadden
saddeningly
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Sadden.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sadden. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

sadden

verb
sad·​den ˈsad-ᵊn How to pronounce sadden (audio)
saddened; saddening -niŋ How to pronounce sadden (audio)
-ᵊn-iŋ
: to make or become sad

More from Merriam-Webster on sadden

Nglish: Translation of sadden for Spanish Speakers

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