- sadden⇄sadden, transitive verb.
to make sad or sorrowful; depress in spirits.
Ex. The bad news saddened him. Her gloomy presence saddens all the scene (Alexander Pope). - sadden⇄v.i. to become sad or gloomy.
Ex. Her face saddened at the news. Better be merry with the fruitful grape than sadden after none, or bitter, fruit (Edward FitzGerald).