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.
It's been painful and honestly depressing. Megan Cartwright, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Sep. 2025 It’s scored by Bobby Krilic, aka Ari Aster’s composer Haxan Cloak, with what sounds like the indie-rock acoustic-and-synth tools of someone at the nadir of their life on the cold tile floor of the world’s most depressing bathroom. Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 28 Sep. 2025 He’s left to be the beater in the tynchal rather than represent the Frasers in the hunt, and, wow, even the way this guy bangs on that drum is depressing. Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 26 Sep. 2025 His 300th was in a depressing environment — at an empty stadium, in the first game of a seven-inning doubleheader in 2020. Sam Blum, New York Times, 21 Sep. 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

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Cite this Entry

“Depressing.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/depressing. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on depressing

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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