sadness

[sad-nis]

noun

1. the quality or state of being sad; sorrow.

   It’s frustrating to know the sadness you’re feeling and not be able to help you.

2. an instance of sorrow.

   How can you be so unaware of the sadnesses these children have experienced?

Word History and Origins

Origin of sadness¹

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English sadnesse; sad ( def. ) + -ness ( def. )

Example Sentences

Mr. Pärt has referred to music as “the handkerchief for drying my tears of sadness, the source of my tears of joy.”

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Her sadness and regret washes over tracks like “Sugar Water” and “Crown,” building into fiery passion on “Chemistry” and “Sailor Song,” before cresting into the haunting resolution of the title track that closes it out.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

"When they said there was a truce, oh my God, a tear of joy and a tear of sadness fell from my eye," Muqdad told AFP.

Read more on Barron's

In a statement shared with "Pride artists, contractors and suppliers", Manchester Pride says it makes the announcement with "enormous sadness".

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"It is with great sadness that we share the unexpected passing of Daniel Naroditsky," the statement said.

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Related Words

• anguish 
• grief 
• heartache 
• heartbreak 
• hopelessness 
• melancholy 
• misery 
• mourning 
• poignancy 
• sorrow