1
as in bleak
causing or marked by an atmosphere lacking in cheer
the depressing atmosphere of the empty mall
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in sad
causing unhappiness
more depressing news about the famine overseas
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in saddening
to make sad
the thought of once again failing the bar exam depressed me
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in throwing
to cause to fall intentionally or unintentionally
construction workers depressed the roadbed in order to make way for an overpass
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in reducing
to diminish the price or value of
the glut of wheat on the market has depressed that commodity for most of the past year
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in pressing
to push steadily against with some force
depressed the lever to start the machine
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of depressing
Cody Stavenhagen,
New York Times,
2 June 2026
Almost a year out to sea is very depressing.
—
Steve Walsh,
NPR,
23 May 2026
Los Angeles Times,
27 May 2026
Each is separately spring-loaded, depressing four millimeters at most (though they can be actuated with as little as two millimeters of travel) before bouncing back with a confirming click.
—
Literary Hub,
19 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for depressing
Adjective
The mood has gotten rather depressing.
—
Cody Stavenhagen,
New York Times,
2 June 2026
Almost a year out to sea is very depressing.
—
Steve Walsh,
NPR,
23 May 2026
Verb
In 1993, a storm with baseball-size hail wiped out the local wheat harvest, depressing incomes and leaving the town too poor to remove damaged buildings.
—
Los Angeles Times,
27 May 2026
Each is separately spring-loaded, depressing four millimeters at most (though they can be actuated with as little as two millimeters of travel) before bouncing back with a confirming click.
—
Literary Hub,
19 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for depressing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for depressing
Adjective
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Houssem Aouar finally spied a gap in the Austrian defence and sent Mahrez through to score, sparking jubilation before Sasa Kalajdzic’s header confirmed a ridiculous ending to a game that was dramatic, bleak and then dramatic again.
-
Kehoe pointed to the state’s bleak finances in a statement explaining his cuts on Tuesday.
Adjective
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Day broke, bathing everything in light, and so great was the vitality of the early-morning sun that even the unhappy city seemed to smile a wan, sad smile.
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But SpringHill really took off in 2020, two seasons into James’ Lakers term, when The SpringHill Company went public (and the Lakers won the sad COVID-bubble NBA Championship).
Verb
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The news was saddening for Jewell — but also alarming for the defense.
Verb
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The game featured two of baseball's best and hardest-throwing pitchers in Burns and Misiorowski.
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Players will be hopping, throwing, rolling, shooting and more in a broad test of their reflexes.
Verb
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Manucurist formulates its masks with panthenol, a form of vitamin B5, to hydrate and strengthen dry nails over time, reducing breakage.
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Even tiny electromagnetic disturbances can disrupt the quantum states that perform calculations, reducing the accuracy and reliability of the system.
Verb
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This involves pressing down on the ice cream to remove air bubbles.
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Most believe that the federal government is too slow to address pressing issues in their districts.
Adjective
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Research from the University of Delaware’s Department of Women and Gender Studies found that body image concerns resulting from social pressures are linked to lower self-esteem, depressive symptoms, and disordered eating in young women.
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Research also suggests changes in brain chemistry involving neurotransmitters such as serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine can cause depressive symptoms.
Adjective
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Instagram Plus is social media’s newest low—a company preying on our most pathetic impulses, for the price of a small iced coffee.
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After these first three majors — and after a pathetic showing this week at Shinnecock — there's no reason to bet against it.
Cite this Entry
“Depressing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/depressing. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.
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