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
Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 23 Oct. 2025
There are four basic types of the disorder, which are characterized by periods of elation and hyperactivity known as manic episodes, which are then followed by depressive stages where the patient experiences feelings of sadness and depression.
—Vanessa Etienne, PEOPLE, 21 Oct. 2025
Nick Pinkerton, Harpers Magazine, 24 Oct. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for depressive
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Adjective
During one depressive episode, Springsteen somberly speeds down the road in his Camaro before violently hitting the brake.
—Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 23 Oct. 2025
There are four basic types of the disorder, which are characterized by periods of elation and hyperactivity known as manic episodes, which are then followed by depressive stages where the patient experiences feelings of sadness and depression.
—Vanessa Etienne, PEOPLE, 21 Oct. 2025
Noun
Bobo, a depressive with a habit of finding a pick-me-up at the bottom of a bottle, checks into rehab and puts a plug in the jug for good; Ferrara’s father never dries up, and in 1980 follows his first suicide attempt with a second, successful one.
—Nick Pinkerton, Harpers Magazine, 24 Oct. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for depressive
Cite this Entry
“Depressive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/depressive. Accessed 28 Oct. 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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