saddening 1 of 2

adjective

as in sad
causing unhappiness the saddening discovery that something is threatening the birds in the area

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

saddening

2 of 2

verb

present participle of sadden
as in depressing
to make sad the arrival of winter always saddens me

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of saddening
Adjective
Actor Chadwick Boseman died of colon cancer at 43, shocking and saddening fans. — Usa Today, USA Today, 11 Aug. 2026 The result is a bonus both surprising and saddening. — Bob Brody, Baltimore Sun, 9 May 2026 The backlash from certain parts of the media has been extremely saddening, particularly given how hard John works to raise awareness and understanding. — Max Goldbart, Deadline, 23 Feb. 2026 Gates has assembled a stimulating, illuminating, maddening, saddening, but often inspiring, story of their relations with the world and one another. — Robert Lloyd, Houston Chronicle, 4 Feb. 2026 The iconic Hollywood Studios archway has been demolished at Walt Disney World, saddening fans. — Marni Rose McFall, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 Oct. 2025 That would be a saddening surrender to might makes right. — Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 12 Aug. 2025 One of the more saddening aspects of Animol (a misspelled word seen carved into a cell wall in solitary) is the change in Troy’s gaze — from alert and observant to constantly on edge, his eyes almost involuntarily darting in every direction at once to spot a threat. — David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 3 Sep. 2019
Verb
The news was saddening for Jewell — but also alarming for the defense. — Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 19 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for saddening
  1. sad
  2. depressing
  3. pathetic
  4. troubling
  5. unfortunate
  6. worrying
Adjective
  • This formula carried his last offering, the funny and sad, Colin Farrell-led The Banshees of Inisherin to nine Oscar nominations in 2022.
    — Radhika Seth, Vogue, 4 Sep. 2026
  • Hunter said it’s been sad to see photos of the devastation wrought by the fire.
    — Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of sad
Verb
  • Also helping is Kevin Warsh, the new Federal Reserve head, who is working to get our central bank focused on currency stability as the way to fight inflation, rather than depressing economic activity.
    — Steve Forbes, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026
  • The high-pressure system that’s causing temperature spikes, Ciliberti said, is also depressing much of the particulate matter, pushing it closer to the ground.
    — Sandra McDonald, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026
Definition of depressing
Adjective
  • Billboards along Southern California freeways have broadcast the Angels’ desperate attempts to draw in fans via pathetic promotions.
    — Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 1 Sep. 2026
  • The outfield production continues to be a concern, and the overall offensive production is pathetic.
    — Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of pathetic
Verb
  • Troubleshooting Tips If your Venus flytrap looks unwell, but is otherwise well watered, here’s what may be troubling your plant.
    — Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 29 Aug. 2026
  • In the final, Simon had little to do as Argentina registered only two shots in 120 minutes of action, with neither troubling the Athletic Club goalkeeper.
    — Leon Imber, New York Times, 19 July 2026
Definition of troubling
Adjective
  • There are no Cubs players involved in the TikTok series, the Cubs told me, which is unfortunate since Crow-Armstrong has acting in his DNA — his mother and father are both actors — and probably would be at least as good as Damon.
    — Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Every mosquito has a type Count me among the unfortunate souls who are mosquito magnets; something about my body chemistry is irresistible to those tiny bloodsucking fiends.
    — ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of unfortunate
Verb
  • While the sports industrial complex has largely been immune from America’s trust crisis, new concerns over betting’s influence on game integrity are not only worrying fans like Brannock, but also league officials.
    — Andrew Zucker, HollywoodReporter, 3 Sep. 2026
  • McCarthy reunited with Aaron Rodgers, his old Super Bowl quarterback, and Harbaugh inherited Jaxson Dart as the Giants’ established young starter and spent August worrying more about protecting him than replacing him.
    — Jason Lloyd, New York Times, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of worrying

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Cite this Entry

“Saddening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/saddening. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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