gladden

verb

glad·​den ˈgla-dᵊn How to pronounce gladden (audio)
gladdened; gladdening ˈgla-dᵊn-iŋ How to pronounce gladden (audio)
Synonyms of gladdennext

intransitive verb

archaic : to be glad

transitive verb

: to make glad

Synonyms of gladden

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Examples of gladden in a Sentence

it would gladden me to hear you sing again
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
But there’s something reliably gladdening about sitting down with a warm bowl that promises to nourish. — Karen Yuan, Bon Appétit, 1 Feb. 2025 But there’s something genuinely gladdening to take away from this inquiry into the modern media. — Jason Linkins, The New Republic, 18 Feb. 2023 The word from Washington is sure to gladden the Newsom campaign. — Los Angeles Times, 12 Aug. 2021 Even a dead beaver, with its buck teeth sticking out of its decomposing skull, seemed to gladden Balken. — Elizabeth Kolbert, The New Yorker, 9 Aug. 2021 Lopez, after all, is a pop star—her work is to rouse, inspire, and gladden large crowds by encouraging them to revel in a moment of fleeting, collective joy. — Amanda Petrusich, The New Yorker, 21 Jan. 2021 That turnaround is sure to gladden the hearts of Republicans, who have no hope of controlling the White House without Texas. — Todd J. Gillman, Dallas News, 6 Sep. 2020

Word History

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of gladden was in the 13th century

Phrases Containing gladden

Rhymes for gladden

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Browse Nearby Words

Gladbeck
gladden
gladden someone's heart
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Cite this Entry

“Gladden.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gladden. Accessed 3 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

gladden

verb
glad·​den ˈglad-ən How to pronounce gladden (audio)
gladdened; gladdening -(ə-)niŋ How to pronounce gladden (audio)
: to make glad

More from Merriam-Webster on gladden

Nglish: Translation of gladden for Spanish Speakers

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