depressing

adjective

de·​press·​ing di-ˈpre-siŋ 

dē-

: that depresses

especially : causing emotional depression

a depressing story

depressingly

di-ˈpre-siŋ-lē 

dē-

adverb

Synonyms of depressing

• bleak
• depressive
• somber
• dark
• lonely
• desolate
• solemn
• darkening
• morbid
• depressed
• cold
• murky
• gray

Examples of depressing in a Sentence

This rainy weather is depressing.

He paints a depressing picture of modern life.

Recent Examples on the Web

The song arrives alongside a cinematic, albeit somewhat depressing, video directed by Mikai Karl and starring distinctive French character actor Denis Lavant (Beau Travail, Mauvais Sang). — Spin Staff, SPIN, 15 July 2026

In addition to which, the Moon is lined up with stern Saturn, which can be depressing. — Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 7 July 2026

Laughter and jokes are banned, and writing is presented as arduous and faintly depressing. — Literary Hub, 6 July 2026

Holý and producer Alžběta Janáčková wanted to tackle homophobia but not in a dark, depressing way. — Carole Horst, Variety, 4 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1556, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for depressing

• accessing
• addressing
• assessing
• caressing
• compressing
• confessing
• distressing
• expressing
• hairdressing
• impressing
• obsessing
• oppressing