sadden

verb

sad·​den ˈsa-dᵊn 

saddened; saddening ˈsad-niŋ 

ˈsa-dᵊn-iŋ

transitive verb

: to make sad

intransitive verb

: to become sad

Synonyms

• depress
• worry
• oppress
• trouble
• burden

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

Saraswathi Vedam is saddened by the latest delay, but said her brother remains patient. —Maryclaire Dale, Fortune, 29 Oct. 2025

Lue was saddened to learn his good friend, Portland Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups, was arrested and charged by federal authorities with money laundering and wire fraud conspiracy. —Janis Carr, Oc Register, 25 Oct. 2025

News of his shooting and arrest shocked and saddened many who had come to rely on his reports, according to the staffers in Price’s office. —Morgan Chesky, NBC news, 23 Oct. 2025

What People Are Saying , InstagramI’m deeply saddened to learn about the passing of Jane Goodall, our dear Messenger of Peace. —Jenna Sundel, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 Oct. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1565, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Rhymes for sadden

• gladden
• hadden
• madden
• aladdin
• coumadin

Kids Definition

sadden

verb

sad·​den ˈsad-ᵊn 

saddened; saddening -niŋ 

-ᵊn-iŋ

: to make or become sad