as in comforting
making one feel good inside
the overdue change to warm, sunny weather is gladdening
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in pleasing
to give satisfaction to
it would gladden me to hear you sing again
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gladdening
Adjective
-
Both Tehran and Washington are pushing their own comforting versions of reality.—
Newsweek Editors,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Mar. 2026 -
Maybe the pretense was comforting to him, too.—
Cassandra Neyenesch,
New Yorker,
29 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
At the Fort Worth show, fans can expect a setlist that balances introspection with crowd-pleasing energy, delivered with the Neighbourhood’s signature dark-pop polish.—
Travis Pinson,
Dallas Morning News,
26 Mar. 2026
-
Bathrooms are smartly designed to fit large shower-baths into a relatively compact space; tiling is dark and mirrored with pleasing gold accents.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
25 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
In a statement, Boulder police said encouraging victims and witnesses to come forward is critical to moving the investigation forward and preventing further harm.—
Jamie Leary,
CBS News,
28 Mar. 2026
-
Pacifica’s title aspirations in Crestview League softball received a few encouraging signs Thursday in another duel with Cypress.—
Dan Albano,
Oc Register,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Pushing the pace on offense and stifling the Sharks with defense, Arizona went up by double digits in the opening minutes and led the Sharks by 27 in the first half while delighting the thousands of fans who filled Viejas Arena with red.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
21 Mar. 2026
-
Pushing the pace on offense and stifling the Sharks with defense, Arizona went up by double digits in the opening minutes and led the Sharks by 27 in the first half while delighting the thousands of fans who filled Viejas Arena with red.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
20 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Family travel can be one of the most rewarding ways to share your love of the outdoors with the people who matter most.—
Lauren Schuster,
Charlotte Observer,
25 Mar. 2026
-
Looking for a hike with one of the most rewarding steps-to-vista ratios out there?—
Kate Bradshaw,
Mercury News,
23 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The last two generations came of age in a world where digital birthday cards are standard, signatures are scrawled awkwardly using a finger and to-do shopping lists no longer offer the satisfying opportunity to scratch out item after item.—
Christopher Borrelli,
Chicago Tribune,
26 Mar. 2026
-
Pair it with a crisp green salad for a satisfying meal.—
Georgeanne Brennan,
Mercury News,
26 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
However, happily, most meaningful efforts, engagements, and pursuits involve profoundly more fulfilling and less harrowing change than moving.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
18 Mar. 2026
-
She got married and began meeting with a life coach to help determine the most fulfilling career path.—
George Varga,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
15 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Burning more coal risks worsening smog in major cities, slowing the transition to renewable energy and increasing the region's planet-warming emissions.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
25 Mar. 2026
-
Sun does appear this week, with warming temperatures by Wednesday and especially Thursday, just in time for the Phillies home opener.—
Andrew Kozak,
CBS News,
23 Mar. 2026
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.
Cite this Entry
“Gladdening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gladdening. Accessed 1 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
