Definition

1. Verb:
   • To cause someone to feel sorrow or unhappiness: To make a person experience sadness.
   • To become sad: To come to feel sadness oneself.

Usage

• As a transitive verb (takes a direct object): "sadden someone."
• As an intransitive verb (does not take a direct object): "someone saddens."

Examples

• Transitive use (making someone else sad):
  • The tragic news saddened the entire community.
  • It saddens me to see you so unhappy.
• Intransitive use (becoming sad):
  • Her heart saddened at the thought of leaving. (This usage is less common.)

Advanced Usage

• Often used in passive constructions: "to be saddened by something."
  • We were deeply saddened by his sudden passing.
• Used with formal or empathetic tone to describe a profound effect.
  • The documentary saddened viewers with its portrayal of the crisis.

Variants and Related Words

• Sad (adjective): Feeling or showing sorrow.
• Sadly (adverb): In a sorrowful manner.
• Sadness (noun): The state or emotion of being sad.

Synonyms

• Depress: To make someone feel utterly dispirited or dejected.
• Grieve: To cause great distress or sorrow (often deeper or more lasting than 'sadden').
• Dishearten: To cause someone to lose determination or confidence.

Antonyms

• Cheer: To make someone happy or more hopeful.
• Gladden: To make someone pleased or joyful.
• Delight: To please someone greatly.

Related Phrases

• It saddens me to say/see/hear...: A common phrase used to express regret or sorrow when delivering unpleasant news or observations.
  • It saddens me to say that the event has been canceled.

Verb

1. come to feel sad
2. make unhappy
   • The news of her death saddened me