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

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.
Kevin Trezak, superintendent of the River Forest Community School Corporation, said in a Thursday statement that the entire River Forest community is saddened by the news that one of its students has passed. Carole Carlson, Chicago Tribune, 26 Mar. 2026 Herb Simon, who started Simon Property Group with Mel Simon, said he was saddened by his nephew's passing and reaffirmed the work his nephew did to grow the family's thriving real estate portfolio. Alysa Guffey, IndyStar, 23 Mar. 2026 Is she amused or angered or saddened by this? Cressida Leyshon, New Yorker, 22 Mar. 2026 The Sonoma State University Alumni Association issued a statement saying it was deeply saddened by Ziemer's passing. Carlos E. Castañeda, CBS News, 18 Mar. 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

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Cite this Entry

“Sadden.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sadden. Accessed 1 Apr. 2026.

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

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