sadness

American  

[sad-nis] / ˈsæd nɪs /

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?

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Etymology

Origin of sadness

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

Example Sentences

Confirming his death in a party statement, McDonald described him as a "friend and comrade", saying she had learned of his passing with "deep sadness".

From BBC

Some described a feeling of awe followed by sadness at the realization that the program could easily replicate expertise they had built up over an entire career.

From The Wall Street Journal

“These accusations are absolutely false and cause me great sadness,” he wrote.

From Los Angeles Times

He added: "There are no winners today, just a sense of sadness that highlights the need for us as a society to grip this issue and finally stop our young people being exploited."

From BBC

In the message posted on Instagram, Iglesias wrote: "It is with profound sadness that I respond to the accusations made by two people who previously worked for me."

From Barron's

Related Words

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