Synonyms of saddening

saddening 1 of 2

adjective

as in sad

causing unhappiness

the saddening discovery that something is threatening the birds in the area

Synonyms & Similar Words

• sad
• depressing
• pathetic
• unfortunate
• heartbreaking
• mournful
• disturbing
• melancholy
• tearful
• dismal
• sorry
• dreary
• teary
• heartrending
• drear
• lamentable
• distressful
• deplorable
• distressing
• disquieting
• disheartening
• discomforting
• poignant
• discouraging
• woeful
• grievous
• touching
• perturbing
• moving
• affecting
• dispiriting
• discomposing

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• glad
• happy
• inspiring
• cheery
• heartening
• uplifting
• stimulating
• pleasant
• stirring
• delightful
• enjoyable
• welcome
• satisfying
• cheering
• pleasing
• agreeable
• pleasurable
• heartwarming
• exhilarating
• thrilling

saddening

2 of 2

verb

present participle of sadden

as in depressing

to make sad

the arrival of winter always saddens me

Synonyms & Similar Words

• depressing
• troubling
• worrying
• concerning
• oppressing
• burdening
• torturing
• distressing
• weighing down
• dejecting
• disturbing
• getting down
• bumming (out)
• bothering
• disheartening
• upsetting
• discouraging
• unsettling
• tormenting
• afflicting
• dashing
• ailing
• dispiriting
• unnerving
• daunting
• disquieting
• discomforting
• dismaying
• demoralizing
• perturbing
• undoing
• freaking (out)
• agitating
• unhinging
• exercising
• discomposing

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• rejoicing
• exciting
• reassuring
• comforting
• invigorating
• lightening
• brightening
• cheering (up)
• assuring
• soothing
• enlivening
• consoling
• inspiring
• stimulating
• animating
• gladdening
• encouraging
• exhilarating
• gratifying
• buoying
• pleasing
• uplifting
• solacing
• elating
• delighting
• heartening
• lifting
• elevating
• boosting

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of saddening

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