sadden

verb

sad·​den ˈsa-dᵊn How to pronounce sadden (audio)
saddened; saddening ˈsad-niŋ How to pronounce sadden (audio)
ˈsa-dᵊn-iŋ

transitive verb

: to make sad

intransitive verb

: to become sad

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
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.
We are saddened for the glory of Christ in this matter. Mark Davis, Newsweek, 14 Mar. 2025 President of the Southern University System, Dennis Shields, spoke at the press conference Friday and said he is saddened by the loss of Wilson’s life. Saleen Martin, USA TODAY, 12 Mar. 2025 Danielle Haim sings, more disdainful than saddened by the dissolution at the heart of the single. Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 12 Mar. 2025 Saldaña said when the tweets recirculated that she was saddened by what had transpired. Chloee Weiner, NPR, 2 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for sadden

Word History

First Known Use

1565, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of sadden was in 1565

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Cite this Entry

“Sadden.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sadden. Accessed 22 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

sadden

verb
sad·​den ˈsad-ᵊn How to pronounce sadden (audio)
saddened; saddening -niŋ How to pronounce sadden (audio)
-ᵊn-iŋ
: to make or become sad

More from Merriam-Webster on sadden

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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