saddened

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'saddened' is correct and usable in written English.
It is an adjective that can be used to describe an emotion of sadness. For example, "Jane was saddened to hear the news of her grandfather's passing."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I am absolutely saddened by the news and I sent Neymar and his family my commiserations on his injury.

The Guardian - Sport

He has hinted there may still be a story to tell about that and said in an interview with Lu Martín in El País in 2012, that his mindset momentarily changed, something slipped and it saddened him.

The Guardian - Sport

"Everybody will be shocked and deeply saddened to hear Charles Kennedy has died," Labour's interim leader said in a statement.

The Guardian

"As a local councillor I'm really saddened and it's a real shock to the area," he said.

The Guardian

Describing himself as "immensely saddened" by the situation, Rushdie told Prose he used the phrase knowingly, because Prose, Carey, Ondaatje, Cole, Kushner and Selasi had chosen to "make a political ACT", by pulling out of the gala.

The Guardian - Books

When Murphy discovered that Sky and Hope had disappeared, he was saddened, but not surprised.

The Guardian

He said he was saddened that he was never able to strike a treaty with Indigenous people while he was prime minister, but he said he fully supported the present move to recognise Aboriginal heritage in the constitution.

The Guardian

Nick Varney, chief executive of Alton Towers owner Merlin Entertainments, said: "We are deeply saddened by the news about Leah and all our thoughts are with her and her family.

The Guardian - Travel

"I am saddened that John has had to cut down on his workload for health reasons.

The Guardian

She said: "I'm saddened, horrified and distressed to hear of such allegations.

The Guardian

He says he took up running after losing a son and later his wife - these losses left him demoralised and saddened and he felt he needed a new focus in his life.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "saddened" when you want to convey a feeling of sorrow or disappointment caused by a specific event or situation. Ensure the context clearly indicates the source of the sadness.

Common error

Avoid using "saddened" in extremely formal or technical writing where a more neutral term like "disappointed" or "concerned" might be more appropriate, depending on the tone and audience.

Linguistic Context

The word "saddened" primarily functions as a past participle adjective. It describes someone or something affected by sadness, as confirmed by Ludwig's examples, such as "I am absolutely saddened by the news."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

87%

Encyclopedias

7%

Science

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "saddened" is a past participle adjective used to describe a feeling of sorrow or disappointment. Ludwig AI confirms it is grammatically correct and very common, particularly in news and media contexts. When writing, it's best to use "saddened" to express empathy or regret, ensuring the context clarifies the source of the sadness. Alternatives include "disappointed", "sorry", or "heartbroken", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey. Avoid using "saddened" in overly formal or technical contexts where more neutral language might be preferred.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

feeling grieved

Implies a deep and intense sorrow, often related to loss.

feeling sorrow

Emphasizes the internal emotional experience of sorrow.

feeling disheartened

Focuses on the loss of enthusiasm or hope.

feeling downcast

Highlights a subdued and dispirited mood.

feeling regretful

Highlights the element of regret or remorse.

feeling crestfallen

Emphasizes disappointment and dejection.

feeling dejected

Focuses on a feeling of being cast down in spirits.

feeling depressed

Suggests a prolonged state of low mood and unhappiness.

feeling melancholy

Evokes a reflective and pensive sadness.

feeling somber

Suggests a serious and grave mood.

FAQs

How can I use "saddened" in a sentence?

You can use "saddened" to describe how someone feels when something sad or disappointing happens. For example, "She was saddened by the news of the factory closure."

What's a good alternative to using "saddened"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "disappointed", "sorry", or "heartbroken" to convey a similar feeling.

Is it correct to say "I am saddened"?

Yes, "I am saddened" is grammatically correct and commonly used to express that you feel sad about something.

What's the difference between "saddened" and "saddening"?

"Saddened" describes the state of feeling sad (e.g., "I was saddened by the news"), while "saddening" describes something that causes sadness (e.g., "It was a saddening experience").