sadden

verb

sad·​den ˈsa-dᵊn 

saddened; saddening ˈsad-niŋ 

ˈsa-dᵊn-iŋ

transitive verb

: to make sad

intransitive verb

: to become sad

Synonyms of sadden

• 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

We are saddened to learn about the passing of former Met Butch Huskey. — Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 14 Aug. 2026

The post was left with hundreds of comments by community members saddened by the news and thanking the owner for years of memories. — Alysia Burgio, CBS News, 11 Aug. 2026

Cunningham, who has known Needham for years, said he was saddened to learn of her departure at a time when the hospital is dealing with the serious financial situation of Vista and AHS. — Steve Sadin, Chicago Tribune, 6 Aug. 2026

Lynsi Snyder, owner and president of In-N-Out, was saddened over the death of Garibay and the other victims. — Ruben Vives, Los Angeles Times, 4 Aug. 2026

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