depressing

adjective

de·​press·​ing di-ˈpre-siŋ How to pronounce depressing (audio)
dē-
: that depresses
especially : causing emotional depression
a depressing story
depressingly adverb

Examples of depressing in a Sentence

This rainy weather is depressing. He paints a depressing picture of modern life.
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.
Gambling today, however, is a sad and depressing experience, nothing like my dad’s and my Atlantic City adventure. Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 15 Aug. 2025 And yet, somehow, the most depressing show on TV—with the exception of any news broadcast, at least—is a reality soap about bougie couples in the suburbs of Los Angeles. Judy Berman, Time, 13 Aug. 2025 So much of the news is toxic or depressing or paralyzing. Maria Bamford, Vulture, 22 July 2025 Henry Cavill’s work in the Snyder-verse, meanwhile, was an intentional but depressing swerve, portraying the Man of Steel as distant and alienated from human society. David Sims, The Atlantic, 8 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for depressing

Word History

First Known Use

1629, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of depressing was in 1629

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Depressing.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/depressing. Accessed 23 Aug. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on depressing

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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