sadden
Americanverb (used with or without object)
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saddens,
present (3rd person singular)
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saddened,
past participle, past
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saddening
present participle
verb
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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saddensimple
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saddenssimple
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have saddenedperfect
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has saddenedperfect
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am saddeningprogressive
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are saddeningprogressive
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is saddeningprogressive
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have been saddeningperfect progressive
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has been saddeningperfect progressive
Past
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saddenedsimple
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had saddenedperfect
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was saddeningprogressive
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were saddeningprogressive
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had been saddeningperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of sadden
Explanation
To sadden is to make someone feel sad, or to become sad. The death of a beloved dog is likely to sadden the whole family. You can say that it saddens your friends when they see vulnerable people bullied or discriminated against. You can also say that your friends sadden you when they tell you about pollution that's causing animals to go extinct. Before the verb sadden came along in the 17th century, the verb meaning "to make sad" was sade, from an Old English root.
Vocabulary lists containing sadden
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
"My death should not sadden you but steel you even more for the struggle you are waging," one of the men, lawyer Mitsos Remboutsikas, had written to his family.
From Barron's ● Feb. 17, 2026
Responding on Instagram, Iglesias said: "I deny having abused, coerced, or disrespected any woman. These accusations are absolutely false and deeply sadden me."
From BBC ● Jan. 16, 2026
“Amazing Endocrinologist! So sadden for her loss. The staff was just as likeable and professional as her, which is really hard to find in the medical industry,” wrote one patient.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 4, 2025
My absence from Christmas would sadden them even more.
From Salon ● Dec. 22, 2021
Watching her walk away, it’s her legs that sadden me.
From "I Am the Messenger" by Markus Zusak
It saddens me to say but relegation may be the only way forward to rescue this club from the poor quality ownership that belittles this once proud club.
From BBC ● Jan. 3, 2026
“It saddens me to see how much celebration there’s been—especially on a campus that advertises itself as a place where you should feel safe to be you.”
From Slate ● Oct. 30, 2025
It saddens me, actually, that they are calling for him to be sacked after just seven games - and I don't think it's fair at all.
From BBC ● Oct. 16, 2025
“It saddens my heart to announce the passing of my beloved Queen Cissy Houston today! Please keep the Houston family in your prayers,” her daughter-in-law Pat Houston wrote Monday on Instagram.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 7, 2024
When Maria Isabel sees couples walking down the street with their children, it saddens her.
From "Enrique's Journey" by Sonia Nazario
The company said in a statement that it was "deeply saddened by the guest incident" and that "our thoughts and heartfelt condolences are with the guest's family, friends, and loved ones".
From BBC ● Oct. 14, 2026
“The City of Lynwood is deeply saddened and disturbed by the reported animal cruelty incident that has caused significant concern throughout our community,” the city said in a statement released Friday.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 13, 2026
In a statement shared to social media, he said he was "deeply saddened to hear about the tragic incident that has taken place at Yorkshire Wildlife Park today".
From BBC ● Oct. 11, 2026
Devon’s departure has saddened and disappointed Larry Nichols, people close to him said.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 5, 2026
It saddened and embarrassed Hall to be publicly castigated by this demigod, this ur-climber who had been one of his childhood heroes.
From "Into Thin Air" by Jon Krakauer
"It is a very saddening incident," Ali Mallahi, father of the bride and owner of the building that was hit, said in a video carried by state TV.
From Barron's ● Sep. 3, 2026
"It is a very saddening incident... Thank God the casualties were not higher."
From Barron's ● Sep. 2, 2026
"It’s saddening to hear about all the threats to their jobs," said college senior Nicole Droeger Stephens.
From Salon ● May 31, 2025
At that time, Mr Eastwood said it was saddening that such displays had become “normalised” and happen annually.
From BBC ● Aug. 16, 2024
Normally at this time of year, the Wood should be dotted with them, and the sight of this solitary blossom was almost as saddening as it was miraculous.
From "Huntress" by Malinda Lo
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Get a wordDefinitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
