sadden

verb

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

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.
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 District speaks out, fundraiser started In a statement to The Star, the Hickman Mills C-1 School District said they were saddened to hear about an Ingels Elementary School student’s passing. Kansas City Star, 16 Oct. 2025 Do not be saddened by the execution of Rainey Bethea. Literary Hub, 16 Oct. 2025 Our community is deeply saddened by this heartbreaking loss. Bailey Richards, PEOPLE, 11 Oct. 2025 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 24 Oct. 2025.

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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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