as in comforting
making one feel good inside
the overdue change to warm, sunny weather is gladdening
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in pleasing
to give satisfaction to
it would gladden me to hear you sing again
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gladdening
Adjective
-
Few meals are as comforting as pot roast.—
Jenna Sims,
Southern Living,
9 Feb. 2026 -
Artichoke dip is always a favorite; queso is another warm and comforting classic.—
Sophia Beams,
Better Homes & Gardens,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
And no matter how formal or casual the gathering, every host is always looking for an easy, crowd-pleasing appetizer to start the party.—
Krissy Tiglias,
Southern Living,
7 Feb. 2026
-
Ted Cruz certainly doesn’t care about pleasing everyone, and Billie Eilish and a whole bunch of musicians now clearly don’t either.—
Steven Zeitchik,
HollywoodReporter,
5 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Known for his playmaking and point guard skills when the Heat drafted Jakucionis with the 20th overall pick last year, his three-point shooting has been encouraging, albeit at a low volume because of his limited minutes.—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
11 Feb. 2026
-
What’s been most encouraging is who’s leaning in.—
Brent Saunders,
Fortune,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Thanks to the Muppets’ film franchise and the wonders of YouTube, the wacky gang is still delighting, and expanding, its fan base.—
Jared Bahir Browsh,
Fortune,
29 Jan. 2026
-
Church’s has been delighting customers since 1952, when the first location opened in San Antonio.—
Tara Massouleh McCay,
Southern Living,
27 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Nevertheless, conversations with daily contacts will be warm and rewarding.—
Georgia Nicols,
Denver Post,
11 Feb. 2026
-
This ensures that our platform adheres to all legal requirements while still providing a fun and rewarding experience for all users.—
Katey Psencik,
Austin American Statesman,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
This rich, satisfying chili is just right for a wintry night.—
Dallas Morning News,
Dallas Morning News,
5 Feb. 2026
-
Briny notes—think olives, capers, and anchovies—bring depth, while umami-rich ingredients like mushrooms, aged cheeses, miso, and soy sauce add a satisfying savoriness that lingers.—
Cori Sears,
Better Homes & Gardens,
4 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
But the decisions made from the soul are usually pretty fulfilling.—
Skyler Caruso,
PEOPLE,
16 Jan. 2026
-
Filming in the Mindscape and everything with Holly was all so fulfilling, but also so different from what I was used to with the show.—
Carly Thomas,
HollywoodReporter,
26 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
Orzo is seasoned with fresh lemon, rosemary and and flat-leaf parsley that pack in the bright, warming flavors.—
Kimberly Holland,
Southern Living,
11 Feb. 2026
-
Coal is relatively inexpensive to produce but is considered the dirtiest fossil fuel, releasing soot air pollution and nearly twice the planet-warming carbon dioxide as natural gas.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Feb. 2026
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.
Cite this Entry
“Gladdening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gladdening. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
