gladden
verb
glad·den ˈgla-dᵊn 
gladdened; gladdening ˈgla-dᵊn-iŋ
intransitive verb
archaic : to be glad
transitive verb
: to make glad
Synonyms
- agree (with)
- content
- delight
- feast
- gas [slang]
- glad [archaic]
- gratify
- please
- pleasure
- rejoice
- satisfy
- suit
- warm
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
it would gladden me to hear you sing again
Recent Examples on the Web 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 The Concorde will gladden the hearts of record buffs. J. A. Maxtone Graham, Popular Mechanics, 24 Sep. 2020 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 What gladdens my heart about geese, and helps fend off the virus blues, is their complete self-absorption. James Gorman, New York Times, 22 Mar. 2020 The letter was a mistake, but one that gladdened hearts in Tehran. Karim Sadjadpour, Time, 9 Jan. 2020 The egg nog-esque concoction of powdered sugar, whipped eggs and spices mixed with hot water or milk and a shot of brandy or rum (or both) has gladdened the hearts and stomachs of Cheeseheads for decades. Meg Jones, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 19 Nov. 2019 See More
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 The Concorde will gladden the hearts of record buffs. J. A. Maxtone Graham, Popular Mechanics, 24 Sep. 2020 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 What gladdens my heart about geese, and helps fend off the virus blues, is their complete self-absorption. James Gorman, New York Times, 22 Mar. 2020 The letter was a mistake, but one that gladdened hearts in Tehran. Karim Sadjadpour, Time, 9 Jan. 2020 The egg nog-esque concoction of powdered sugar, whipped eggs and spices mixed with hot water or milk and a shot of brandy or rum (or both) has gladdened the hearts and stomachs of Cheeseheads for decades. Meg Jones, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 19 Nov. 2019 See More Word History
First Known Use
13th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense
Phrases Containing gladden
Kids Definition
gladden
verb
glad·den ˈgla-dᵊn
gladdened; gladdening
: to make glad
… Matthias saw a sight that gladdened his heart. Brian Jacques, Redwall
Brian Jacques, Redwallgladdening 1 of 2
adjective
as in comforting
making one feel good inside the overdue change to warm, sunny weather is gladdening Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- comforting
- encouraging
- gratifying
- rewarding
- welcoming
- cheering
- satisfying
- loving
- pleasing
- warm
- fulfilling
- inspiring
- heartwarming
- uplifting
- heartening
- touching
- affecting
- inspiriting
- thrilling
- invigorating
- poignant
- elevating
- kind
- moving
- exhilarating
- exciting
- sympathetic
- edifying
- stirring
- enlivening
- rousing
- kindly
- stimulating
- pleasurable
- animating
- tender
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- discouraging
- depressing
- saddening
- demoralizing
- cheerless
- disheartening
- dispiriting
- displeasing
- disappointing
- disturbing
- upsetting
- dismaying
- heartbreaking
- discomforting
- disconcerting
- dissatisfying
- distressing
- unpleasant
- heartrending
- unkind
- cold
- disgruntling
- unfriendly
- unfeeling
- unloving
gladdening
2 of 2verb
as in pleasing
to give satisfaction to it would gladden me to hear you sing again Synonyms & Similar Words
- pleasing
- delighting
- satisfying
- warming
- rejoicing
- thrilling
- feasting
- amusing
- gladding
- gratifying
- entertaining
- contenting
- pleasuring
- soothing
- tickling
- suiting
- appeasing
- exciting
- comforting
- calming
- quenching
- agreeing (with)
- mollifying
- pacifying
- charming
- placating
- satiating
- captivating
- gassing
- titillating
- galvanizing
- diverting
- assuaging
- sating
- pampering
- treating
- humoring
- spoiling
- coddling
- indulging
- mollycoddling
- catering (to)
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- displeasing
- irritating
- exasperating
- vexing
- aggravating
- crossing
- perturbing
- annoying
- irking
- bothering
- maddening
- getting
- nettling
- rousing
- grating
- rankling
- infuriating
- enraging
- outraging
- ruffling
- galling
- piquing
- angering
- bugging
- upsetting
- disturbing
- chafing
- provoking
- incensing
- inflaming
- riling
- distressing
- roiling
- agitating
- putting out
- peeving
- enflaming
- fretting
- harassing
- steaming up
- insulting
- affronting
- harrying
- offending
- pestering