de·pres·sive
di-ˈpre-siv 
dē-
1
: tending to depress
2
: of, relating to, marked by, or affected by psychological depression
depressive symptoms
a depressive patient
depressively
adverb
: one who is affected with or prone to psychological depression
Examples of depressive in a Sentence
Adjective
the depressive story about a struggling artist
Recent Examples on the Web
Jack Beresford, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Sep. 2025
In women at risk of postpartum depression, changes in peripartum levels of the neurosteroid have been associated with depressive symptoms.
—Alyssa Goldberg, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2025
Travis Bean, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2025
The only things shaky about Relish are the junkies, prostitutes, suicidal depressives, and sinners who populate Osborne's songs.
—Ew Staff Published, EW.com, 14 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for depressive
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Adjective
These issues ranged from academic difficulties and disruptive behaviors to depressive moods.
—Jack Beresford, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Sep. 2025
In women at risk of postpartum depression, changes in peripartum levels of the neurosteroid have been associated with depressive symptoms.
—Alyssa Goldberg, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2025
Noun
This two-part film dedicates stories to two seemingly polar-opposite sisters: the depressive, defeated Justine (Kirsten Dunst) and the controlling, judgmental Claire (Charlotte Gainsbourg).
—Travis Bean, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2025
The only things shaky about Relish are the junkies, prostitutes, suicidal depressives, and sinners who populate Osborne's songs.
—Ew Staff Published, EW.com, 14 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for depressive
Cite this Entry
“Depressive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/depressive. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
depressive
1 of 2 adjective
de·pres·sive
di-ˈpres-iv
1
: tending to depress
2
: of, relating to, marked by, or affected by psychological depression
the patient was paranoid and depressive
depressive symptoms
depressive
2 of 2 noun
: one who is affected with or prone to psychological depression
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