adjective
Uncommon
saddened
SAD-uhnd
Saddened (adjective) means Made unhappy by something that has happened, especially bad news. Example: “We were deeply saddened to hear of his death.”
adjective
1
Made unhappy by something that has happened, especially bad news.
"We were deeply saddened to hear of his death."
"She looked saddened rather than angry."
verb
1
Past tense and past participle of sadden: to have made someone unhappy.
"The state of the old house saddened him."
How to use saddened
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishMade unhappy by something that happened.
When to use it
Somewhat formal; the standard register of condolences and official statements.
Memory tip
Saddened is normally followed by to hear, to learn or by: saddened by the news, saddened to hear of your loss.
Trace the full origin ↓
Common pairings
deeply saddened
saddened to hear
saddened by the news
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We were deeply _____ to hear of his death.
Etymology
From sadden, formed from sad plus the verb-making suffix -en; sad comes from Old English saed "sated, weary".
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for saddened
opened
awakened
unopened
hardened
darkened
softened
sickened
weakened
burdened
loosened
flattened
sweetened
See all rhymes for saddened →
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between saddened and sad?
Sad describes a state, whatever its cause. Saddened points to a cause: something happened and it made you sad. That is why announcements say "we were saddened to learn" rather than "we were sad to learn".
Is "deeply saddened" too formal for a condolence message?
It is formal, and it is the standard wording for public statements and company announcements. In a private message to a close friend, plainer wording such as "I'm so sorry" usually reads as warmer and more genuine.
What is the meaning of saddened?
"saddened" (adjective) means made unhappy by something that has happened, especially bad news.
What is another word for saddened?
Other words for "saddened" include upset, distressed, sorrowful, grieved, dismayed.
