Gladden
What it means
To bring welcome happiness or lift someone's spirits.
Reach for it when describing a modest cause of sincere pleasure, often in reflective writing
The first blossom will gladden everyone who tended the damaged garden.
Words to choose between 6
| playful | |
|---|---|
| everyday | |
| warm | |
| professional | |
| literary |
|
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playful
Fits when a small change makes a day or place happier
Careful Brighten may concern light or appearance rather than inward gladness.
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everyday
Fits when someone's mood becomes brighter after difficulty
Careful Cheer can mean encourage or applaud, so the intended action may be unclear.
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everyday
Fits when ordinary satisfaction or approval is enough
Careful Please is cooler and less evocative than a moment that gladdens the heart.
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warm
Fits when the pleasure is vivid and directly caused
Careful Delight is stronger and can overstate a quiet reassuring sign.
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warm
Fits when the event renews courage as well as happiness
Careful Heartening is an adjective and fits the effect better than the action.
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professional
Fits when mood or morale improves in a broader group
Careful Uplift can sound abstract and promotional beside a specific personal pleasure.
Opposites 3
- sadden
- dishearten
- distress
Common phrases 3
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gladden the heart
News of the safe return will gladden the heart of every volunteer.
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gladden visitors
Spring color should gladden visitors without hiding the memorial's purpose.
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sure to gladden
The repaired carousel is sure to gladden its former riders.
Definitions and examples are written for this site. How words are chosen Recording: Vealhurl, Southern England accent, from Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 Updated