depressing 1 of 2

adjective

di-ˈpre-siŋ How to pronounce depressing (audio)
Definition of depressingnext
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

depressing

2 of 2

verb

present participle of depress
1
as in saddening
to make sad the thought of once again failing the bar exam depressed me

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

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.
Recent Examples of depressing
Adjective
The simple, rather depressing, and completely overwhelming fact of the matter is that the Marvel Cinematic Universe cannot be ignored, even as superhero fatigue has definitively set in at the global box office. — David Sims, The Atlantic, 30 July 2026 The glow through the translucent stone façade prevents that journey from being downright depressing. — Justin Davidson, Curbed, 29 July 2026
Verb
Problem properties can create economic and fiscal challenges, including depressing neighboring property values, straining fire and police resources and increasing the risk of arson and violent crime. — Michelle Mullins, Chicago Tribune, 18 June 2026 Bukayo Saka — England/Arsenal Saka suffers a little here from Mikel Arteta’s tactical approach depressing the final third production of all Arsenal’s attackers. — Liam Twomey, New York Times, 11 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for depressing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for depressing
  1. bleak
  2. sad
  3. saddening
  4. throwing
  5. reducing
  6. pressing
  7. depressive
  8. pathetic
Adjective
  • Using the pretense of a documentary film crew, the show follows the excruciatingly dull workday experiences of a paper supply company in a drab office in a bleak industrial estate in Slough, England.
    — René Ostberg, Encyclopedia Britannica, 4 Sep. 2026
  • India's quarterly economic growth has exceeded expectations several times over the past year, defying a bleak global trade environment, high energy prices and geopolitical uncertainties.
    — Priyanka Salve, CNBC, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of bleak
Adjective
  • For all of the franchise’s misadventures, the Mets — led by ones who were there for that sad September in 2001 — get this right.
    — Tyler Kepner, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
  • Let’s return, then, to La Quinta, and the saddest pizza party imaginable.
    — Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of sad
Verb
  • The news was saddening for Jewell — but also alarming for the defense.
    — Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 19 Aug. 2025
Definition of saddening
Verb
  • Henderson played one snap in the Cougars’ 33-20 win over Oregon State, throwing an incomplete pass in the second quarter when he was forced into the game after Weigman’s helmet came off.
    — Antonio Morales, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
  • It’s been this beautiful thing of throwing stuff against the wall.
    — Yvonne Villarreal, Los Angeles Times, 10 Sep. 2026
Definition of throwing
Verb
  • The expectation is that, with the SAFER barrier, cars will slide along it in an accident, reducing the risk of the car ending up bouncing back onto the racing line.
    — Madeline Coleman, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
  • Asked by the Miami Herald who would cover the difference between what Hialeah pays Miami-Dade County for water and sewer services and what the city would collect after reducing customers’ bills by 25% or 50%, Calvo said there is no gap.
    — Verónica Egui Brito, Miami Herald, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of reducing
Verb
  • Her lawyers at the time of the deportation had been pressing the court to force the Justice Department to share information and other evidence to support the accusations in the case.
    — ERIC TUCKER, Arkansas Online, 12 Sep. 2026
  • This was aided by Villa being a more accomplished possessional side and Hull rarely pressing.
    — Aston Villa, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of pressing
Adjective
  • The results showed that saffron had a positive effect on both, especially on mood and depressive symptoms.
    — Eleesha Lockett, Verywell Health, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Antidepressants, including selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors or SSRIs such as Celexa, Prozac and Zoloft, target a range of depressive and anxiety disorders.
    — Jen Christensen, CNN Money, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of depressive
Adjective
  • Among the performers, Smith rules the roost as the no-nonsense Angela, and Jones acquits himself tolerably on comic relief duties as the pathetic Mike.
    — Caspar Salmon, Variety, 10 Sep. 2026
  • Villarreal Villarreal’s performance in this competition last season was, frankly, pathetic.
    — Nick Miller, New York Times, 7 Sep. 2026
Definition of pathetic

Browse Nearby Words

depresses
depressing
depression
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Depressing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/depressing. Accessed 13 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of shofar

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary

Words from the 'Odyssey'

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of
See More

Popular

See More

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
funny guinea pig in glasses reading a book
Challenging Words You Should Know Vol 2 Words to the wise
See All