gladdening 1 of 2

adjective

as in comforting
making one feel good inside the overdue change to warm, sunny weather is gladdening

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

gladdening

2 of 2

verb

present participle of gladden
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
  1. comforting
  2. pleasing
  3. encouraging
  4. delighting
  5. rewarding
  6. satisfying
  7. fulfilling
  8. warming
Adjective
  • The songs, decorations and rituals that once felt comforting can quietly tie themselves to painful experiences in your brain, which is why familiar cues sometimes trigger sadness instead of joy.
    — Ashley Lynch, Sacbee.com, 29 Oct. 2026
  • Maque Choux Easily made with fresh or frozen sweet corn, this creamy Creole dish is a fast, comforting weeknight dinner.
    — Hannah Agran, Midwest Living, 27 Oct. 2026
Definition of comforting
Verb
  • The menu leans into crowd-pleasing seafood and vegetable-forward dishes, but pastas and hearty mains like a pork belly with roasted new potato and pane carasau cannot be missed.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 Nov. 2026
  • Here are the crowd-pleasing offerings sure to liven up your Thanksgiving.
    — Sam Stone, Bon Appetit Magazine, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of pleasing
Adjective
  • Ultimately, Brown said the survey findings may be encouraging for the broader retail scene this holiday season.
    — Laya Neelakandan, CNBC, 5 Nov. 2026
  • That’s encouraging, but don’t forget how the Maverick was supposed to start under $20,000.
    — Adam Ismail, The Drive, 5 Nov. 2026
Definition of encouraging
Verb
  • Irish comedian Joanne McNally was first on stage, delighting the packed house with the woes of being single and 40.
    — Kevin Dolak, HollywoodReporter, 20 Oct. 2026
  • Instead of delighting fans by paying loving homage to the movies or winning over newcomers with an exciting fresh take on the material, the show fails on both fronts, swinging wildly from one misbegotten idea to the next.
    — Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of delighting
Adjective
  • But the most rewarding meals tend to come together when those of us not fluent in the cuisine ask for help (sometimes lots of it) to navigate ideal dish pairings and employ vital condiments.
    — Bill Addison, Los Angeles Times, 5 Nov. 2026
  • And, yes, probably the kind of space in which spending time with his cat is just as rewarding as a varied resume and making stuff with friends.
    — Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 4 Nov. 2026
Definition of rewarding
Verb
  • Under the proposal, states could also designate other activities as satisfying the requirement.
    — Megan Cerullo, CBS News, 9 Nov. 2026
  • An evening spent learning something absorbing can be satisfying simply because the world feels a little less familiar afterward.
    — Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 7 Nov. 2026
Definition of satisfying
Adjective
  • The most fulfilling part for me in telling the adult stories was the message of taking accountability and the power of forgiveness.
    — Katie Campione, Deadline, 24 Sep. 2026
  • But having something to look forward to can make the transition smoother and more fulfilling.
    — Andrew Rosen, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of fulfilling
Verb
  • According to the Marine Mammal Center in Marin County, harmful algae blooms have proliferated along the California coast for the last few decades due to warming ocean temperatures and pollution.
    — Anne Ewbank, Sacbee.com, 2 Nov. 2026
  • As the music crested (provided by her band warming back up over on the A-stage), Bridgers stood facing a thin sheet of white light, filled up with what looked like a shower of celestial glitter.
    — Chris Willman, Variety, 1 Nov. 2026
Definition of warming
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.

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Cite this Entry

“Gladdening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gladdening. Accessed 12 Nov. 2026.

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