as in to delight
to give satisfaction to
it would gladden me to hear you sing again
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Recent Examples of gladden
But there’s something reliably gladdening about sitting down with a warm bowl that promises to nourish.
—
Karen Yuan, Bon Appétit, 1 Feb. 2025
But there’s something genuinely gladdening to take away from this inquiry into the modern media.
—Jason Linkins, The New Republic, 18 Feb. 2023
The quick-change, prop-heavy musical skit brings to the stage, briefly, staples from that classic variety show that will gladden the hearts of TV nostalgists: acrobats, plate spinners, jugglers, the Rockettes, the Vienna Boys Choir, Liberace and even the mouse puppet Topo Gigio.
—San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Nov. 2022
The word from Washington is sure to gladden the Newsom campaign.
—Los Angeles Times, 12 Aug. 2021
Even a dead beaver, with its buck teeth sticking out of its decomposing skull, seemed to gladden Balken.
—Elizabeth Kolbert, The New Yorker, 9 Aug. 2021
The Concorde will gladden the hearts of record buffs.
—J. A. Maxtone Graham, Popular Mechanics, 24 Sep. 2020
That turnaround is sure to gladden the hearts of Republicans, who have no hope of controlling the White House without Texas.
—Todd J. Gillman, Dallas News, 6 Sep. 2020
Karen Yuan, Bon Appétit, 1 Feb. 2025
But there’s something genuinely gladdening to take away from this inquiry into the modern media.
—Jason Linkins, The New Republic, 18 Feb. 2023
The quick-change, prop-heavy musical skit brings to the stage, briefly, staples from that classic variety show that will gladden the hearts of TV nostalgists: acrobats, plate spinners, jugglers, the Rockettes, the Vienna Boys Choir, Liberace and even the mouse puppet Topo Gigio.
—San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Nov. 2022
The word from Washington is sure to gladden the Newsom campaign.
—Los Angeles Times, 12 Aug. 2021
Even a dead beaver, with its buck teeth sticking out of its decomposing skull, seemed to gladden Balken.
—Elizabeth Kolbert, The New Yorker, 9 Aug. 2021
The Concorde will gladden the hearts of record buffs.
—J. A. Maxtone Graham, Popular Mechanics, 24 Sep. 2020
That turnaround is sure to gladden the hearts of Republicans, who have no hope of controlling the White House without Texas.
—Todd J. Gillman, Dallas News, 6 Sep. 2020
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gladden
Verb
-
Newsom has trolled Trump for months with social media barbs, delighting some Democratic loyalists who have pushed party leaders and potential 2028 candidates to take a harder line.—
Dave Goldiner,
Mercury News,
20 Jan. 2026
-
The Berlin International Film Festival unveiled its 2026 lineup on Tuesday, revealing a program sure to delight the festival’s many hardcore arthouse fans, but with little in the way of big Hollywood titles to draw in the undecided.—
Scott Roxborough,
HollywoodReporter,
20 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Few industries have been as brazen in their capitulation as Big Tech, which has dismantled its content-moderation systems to please the current administration.—
Matteo Wong,
The Atlantic,
14 Jan. 2026
-
The volume was eventually reprinted in the Modern Library—an accolade that greatly pleased its author.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
12 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The film artfully blends wacky gags and references with resonant themes that affect our world, including discrimination and unconscious bias, satisfying viewers of all ages.—
James Mercadante,
Entertainment Weekly,
20 Jan. 2026
-
Still others find their sense of adventure satisfied by ordering the most exotic item on a familiar restaurant's menu.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
20 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Over medium high heat, in a small frying pan, warm the butter and olive oil.—
Georgeanne Brennan,
Mercury News,
15 Jan. 2026
-
And in Miami, eating piping-hot churros can warm a belly, too.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
15 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
For a real birdwatching activity, fill a seed bag with thistle and watch flocks of them dart around the feeder and feast with fervor.—
Kier Holmes,
Martha Stewart,
18 Jan. 2026
-
Bidunga feasted on the Baylor bigs inside while racking up blocks on the other end.—
Shreyas Laddha,
Kansas City Star,
17 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Helen shoots him a warning look—but she’s amused by his little hint.—
Allegra Goodman,
New Yorker,
4 Jan. 2026
-
The coincidence amused some, while others were convinced that Annabelle had something to do with it.—
Amaris Encinas,
USA Today,
27 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Gladden.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gladden. Accessed 21 Jan. 2026.
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