as in sad
causing unhappiness
the saddening discovery that something is threatening the birds in the area
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
Bob Brody,
Baltimore Sun,
9 May 2026
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
Alex Zietlow,
Charlotte Observer,
19 Aug. 2025
Adjective
The result is a bonus both surprising and saddening.
—
Bob Brody,
Baltimore Sun,
9 May 2026
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
-
Day broke, bathing everything in light, and so great was the vitality of the early-morning sun that even the unhappy city seemed to smile a wan, sad smile.
-
But SpringHill really took off in 2020, two seasons into James’ Lakers term, when The SpringHill Company went public (and the Lakers won the sad COVID-bubble NBA Championship).
Verb
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The problem is that too many teachers are failing to motivate students, and the peer effect can go both ways, depressing student achievement in places where ambition isn’t valued.
-
Problem properties can create economic and fiscal challenges, including depressing neighboring property values, straining fire and police resources and increasing the risk of arson and violent crime.
Adjective
-
Instagram Plus is social media’s newest low—a company preying on our most pathetic impulses, for the price of a small iced coffee.
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After these first three majors — and after a pathetic showing this week at Shinnecock — there's no reason to bet against it.
Verb
-
Campbell said Moore wanted to discuss what was troubling her privately but never got the chance.
-
This question of what happened to fishes immediately after the age of the dinosaurs kept troubling me.
Adjective
-
As attendees were escorted out of the Great American State Fair on Sunday because of inclement weather, guests noticed an unfortunate typo displayed on a digital billboard at the National Mall.
-
They should be trained not to ask a bunch of questions about the medical condition, express doubt, comment that the timing is unfortunate or share private information with co-workers.
Verb
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This common form of anxiety arises when dogs are left alone for an amount of time, often worrying that they will permanently be left behind.
-
Taken together, the actions signal a worrying return to a reality where people with disabilities are pushed to the margins of society, advocates said.
Cite this Entry
“Saddening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/saddening. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
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