Sadden, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Saddened; p. pr. & vb. n. Saddening.] — Webster enters it under “sadden”
To make sad. Specifically: (a) To render heavy or cohesive. [Obs.] Marl is binding, and saddening of land is the great prejudice it doth to clay lands. Mortimer.
(b) To make dull- or sad-colored, as cloth. (c) To make grave or serious; to make melancholy or sorrowful. Her gloomy presence saddens all the scene. Pope.
1 other Webster entry under this spelling
Sadden, v. i.
To become, or be made, sad. Tennyson.
Shades of meaning
Fernald lists saddening only as an antonym, under delightful.
He lists it without comment; the entries above explain its neighbors.
Synonyms
none given