as in sad
causing unhappiness
the saddening discovery that something is threatening the birds in the area
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in depressing
to make sad
the arrival of winter always saddens me
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of saddening
Max Goldbart, Deadline, 23 Feb. 2026
Gates has assembled a stimulating, illuminating, maddening, saddening, but often inspiring, story of their relations with the world and one another.
—Robert Lloyd, Twin Cities, 7 Feb. 2026
Gates has assembled a stimulating, illuminating, maddening, saddening, but often inspiring, story of their relations with the world and one another.
—Robert Lloyd, Houston Chronicle, 4 Feb. 2026
Gates has assembled a stimulating, illuminating, maddening, saddening, but often inspiring, story of their relations with the world and one another.
—Television Critic, Los Angeles Times, 3 Feb. 2026
The iconic Hollywood Studios archway has been demolished at Walt Disney World, saddening fans.
—Marni Rose McFall, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 Oct. 2025
That would be a saddening surrender to might makes right.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 12 Aug. 2025
One of the more saddening aspects of Animol (a misspelled word seen carved into a cell wall in solitary) is the change in Troy’s gaze — from alert and observant to constantly on edge, his eyes almost involuntarily darting in every direction at once to spot a threat.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 3 Sep. 2019
Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 19 Aug. 2025
Adjective
The backlash from certain parts of the media has been extremely saddening, particularly given how hard John works to raise awareness and understanding.
—Max Goldbart, Deadline, 23 Feb. 2026
Gates has assembled a stimulating, illuminating, maddening, saddening, but often inspiring, story of their relations with the world and one another.
—Robert Lloyd, Twin Cities, 7 Feb. 2026
Gates has assembled a stimulating, illuminating, maddening, saddening, but often inspiring, story of their relations with the world and one another.
—Robert Lloyd, Houston Chronicle, 4 Feb. 2026
Gates has assembled a stimulating, illuminating, maddening, saddening, but often inspiring, story of their relations with the world and one another.
—Television Critic, Los Angeles Times, 3 Feb. 2026
The iconic Hollywood Studios archway has been demolished at Walt Disney World, saddening fans.
—Marni Rose McFall, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 Oct. 2025
That would be a saddening surrender to might makes right.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 12 Aug. 2025
One of the more saddening aspects of Animol (a misspelled word seen carved into a cell wall in solitary) is the change in Troy’s gaze — from alert and observant to constantly on edge, his eyes almost involuntarily darting in every direction at once to spot a threat.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 3 Sep. 2019
Verb
The news was saddening for Jewell — but also alarming for the defense.
—Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 19 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for saddening
Adjective
-
One of the saddest bits of it, actually!—
Maggie Fremont,
Vulture,
26 Mar. 2026
-
Sister Jean would pass away at age 106 this past October, a sad metaphor for the fate of Cinderella.—
Greg Cote
Updated March 23,
Miami Herald,
23 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Many companies tie these adjustments to surging oil prices, with the blockage of the key Strait of Hormuz passageway depressing supply.—
Alex Harring,
CNBC,
28 Mar. 2026
-
But that message carries a weird, even depressing undertone.—
Joshua Minsoo Kim,
Pitchfork,
24 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Astin sinks into his pathetic character with full commitment, but the running gag about Ron getting more upset about the possibility of being banned from the fast-food restaurant than anything else is hammered so relentlessly that the character just seems mentally challenged.—
Frank Scheck,
HollywoodReporter,
14 Mar. 2026
-
Of course, the notes turn out to mostly be about her as well as the principal (played by Gosling), detailing their most pathetic behaviors.—
Ben Rosenstock,
Vulture,
8 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
But besides defiant behavior or anger issues, there are other behaviors that indicate that something deeper is troubling your teen.—
Staff Author,
Parents,
9 Mar. 2026
-
Scientists may have solved a cosmic mystery that has been troubling them since the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) began observations back in 2022.—
Robert Lea,
Space.com,
22 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
That house has a history of unfortunate events, including the fate of Cookie, an errant heiress and her pooch.—
Pat Beall,
Sun Sentinel,
27 Mar. 2026
-
The start of 2026 has been a series of unfortunate events for Michelle Harris and her family.—
Monique John,
CBS News,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
How can other young women and girls who wants to be creators online push through that embarrassment and stop worrying about what other people are thinking?—
Emma Hinchliffe,
Fortune,
26 Mar. 2026
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But the start of the war in Iran has many European leaders worrying about a deeper break within NATO.—
Simon Shuster,
The Atlantic,
26 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Saddening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/saddening. Accessed 1 Apr. 2026.
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