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
Synonyms of depressive
Examples of depressive in a Sentence
Adjective
the depressive story about a struggling artist
Recent Examples on the Web
Dani Di Placido, Forbes.com, 31 May 2026
Most deaths are caused by substance use disorders and depressive disorders.
—Yenupini Joyce Adams, The Conversation, 27 May 2026
Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 30 Apr. 2026
While these factors are not direct links to postpartum depressive symptoms, reducing anxiety in particular may later be shown to reduce maternal depression in the newborn period.
—Nina Shapiro, Forbes.com, 27 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for depressive
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Adjective
The den resembles the room of someone who is stuck in a depressive rut, like Clark.
—Dani Di Placido, Forbes.com, 31 May 2026
Most deaths are caused by substance use disorders and depressive disorders.
—Yenupini Joyce Adams, The Conversation, 27 May 2026
Noun
Contemplative depressive indie band The Mountain Goats, May 17 at College Street Music Hall.
—Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 30 Apr. 2026
While these factors are not direct links to postpartum depressive symptoms, reducing anxiety in particular may later be shown to reduce maternal depression in the newborn period.
—Nina Shapiro, Forbes.com, 27 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for depressive
Cite this Entry
“Depressive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/depressive. Accessed 6 Jun. 2026.
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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