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
-
As major college athletics continues to shift into for-profit, these types of sad measures are expected to continue, and private equity will continue to creep in.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
7 May 2026
-
And such a sad story for Positano, and this whole region.—
Andrea Margolis,
FOXNews.com,
7 May 2026
Verb
-
At risk of depressing you, nothing.—
Steven Zeitchik,
HollywoodReporter,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Aside from the exclusivity, part of the appeal also comes from great marketing and the personalities of the sad boys themselves, who embrace the image of the lonely pint, eaten as a pick-me-up during depressing moments in life.—
Colin Wrenn,
Denver Post,
20 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
But as Notes from Underground progresses, his behavior turns from funny to pathetic to downright despicable.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
29 Apr. 2026
-
Over pinwheeling synths, Mahesh inhabits her narrator’s misplaced longing with gooey, heart-eyed delusion and sweetly pathetic determination.—
Harry Tafoya,
Pitchfork,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
My mother’s rheumatism was troubling her, and Betsy stayed home to keep her company.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
29 Apr. 2026
-
The touching moment was shared on the TikTok account @rosiethestaffygirl, capturing the instant Rosie—a Staffordshire bull terrier rescue—worked up the nerve to confront something that had clearly been troubling her.—
Alyce Collins,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Lee said the incident is especially unfortunate, given the good work VCH does.—
Deborah Vankin,
Los Angeles Times,
9 May 2026
-
This is unfortunate and, from your telling, needlessly aggressive.—
R. Eric Thomas,
Mercury News,
7 May 2026
Verb
-
Air quality concerns Smoke continued to linger Wednesday, worrying residents.—
Elijah Westbrook,
CBS News,
6 May 2026
-
Investors previously challenged the company's aggressive spending initiatives, worrying that new tech investments would take time to pay off.—
Samantha Subin,
CNBC,
6 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Saddening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/saddening. Accessed 13 May. 2026.
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