sadden

verb

sad·​den ˈsa-dᵊn 

saddened; saddening ˈsad-niŋ 

ˈsa-dᵊn-iŋ

transitive verb

: to make sad

intransitive verb

: to become sad

Synonyms

• bum (out)
• burden
• dash
• deject
• depress
• get down
• oppress
• weigh down

Examples of sadden in a Sentence

It saddens me that we could not agree.

We were saddened to see how ill she looks.

She was saddened over the death of her friend.

Her face saddened when she heard the news.

Recent Examples on the Web

Westminster alumni from those years were saddened to see the beautiful building demolished so a new East Middle School could be constructed on the same property in 2023. —Thomas Goodwin Smith, Baltimore Sun, 28 Jan. 2025

Thanks for Phan’s contributions came rolling in Tuesday from chefs, restaurateurs and civic leaders saddened by news of the chef’s sudden death. —Linda Zavoral, The Mercury News, 22 Jan. 2025

People in the comment section were saddened — and horrified — by Allison’s story. —Tj MacIas, Kansas City Star, 15 Jan. 2025

Charles was deeply saddened after being made aware of Edward Pettifer’s death through official channels and has been in touch with the family to share personal condolences, a Buckingham Palace source said. —Max Burman, NBC News, 4 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1565, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Kids Definition

sadden

verb

sad·​den ˈsad-ᵊn 

saddened; saddening -niŋ 

-ᵊn-iŋ

: to make or become sad