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
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
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Recent Examples of depressing
Laura Daniella Sepulveda, AZCentral.com, 21 Mar. 2026
This provides an initially pretty good, if incredibly depressing, joke.
—Chase Hutchinson, IndieWire, 19 Mar. 2026
ABC News, 3 Mar. 2026
Incarceration certainly plays a key role in depressing voter turnout, which lags, in no small part, because felony convictions have made so many people ineligible.
—Kevin B. Smith, The Conversation, 2 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for depressing
Adjective
Metro Phoenix residents are no stranger to hot weather, but the forecast lately is flat out depressing.
—Laura Daniella Sepulveda, AZCentral.com, 21 Mar. 2026
This provides an initially pretty good, if incredibly depressing, joke.
—Chase Hutchinson, IndieWire, 19 Mar. 2026
Verb
Reeves had hoped her statement to the House of Commons would be a relatively low-key affair, but economists are warning that the Iran war could upend the forecasts, depressing growth, stoking inflation and increasing debt.
—ABC News, 3 Mar. 2026
Incarceration certainly plays a key role in depressing voter turnout, which lags, in no small part, because felony convictions have made so many people ineligible.
—Kevin B. Smith, The Conversation, 2 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for depressing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for depressing
Adjective
-
But the state education department questioned this week whether the picture is as bleak as Superintendent Andrae Townsel’s administration has described.—
Don Stacom,
Hartford Courant,
3 Apr. 2026
-
Amid the chaos under Yeltsin, a bleak frontier culture took hold.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
And there is a beautiful human element to it that is kind of, at its core, a little sad.—
Rebecca Alter,
Vulture,
9 Apr. 2026
-
The vlogger Jordan Cheyenne, for one, wrecked her sharenting career by accidentally posting footage of herself coaching her son, who was distraught over the family’s sick puppy, to make a specific kind of sad face for YouTube.—
Jessica Winter,
New Yorker,
7 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The news was saddening for Jewell — but also alarming for the defense.—
Alex Zietlow,
Charlotte Observer,
19 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Even though six of those past teams failed to win it all, fans are throwing the history books out the window after witnessing the Bear Down beatdown Saturday night.—
Jack Springgate,
CBS News,
6 Apr. 2026
-
After throwing 13 1/3 scoreless innings in his first two starts, New York’s Max Fried allowed three runs on five hits in 6 2/3 innings.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
6 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
One bill focuses on reducing construction costs by updating building codes.—
U T Editorial Board,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
4 Apr. 2026
-
While these methods remain effective, excessive tilling can break down soil aggregates into smaller particles, reducing soil health and increasing erosion risk.—
Anthony Reardon,
Kansas City Star,
4 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Midfielders Lo LaBonta and Hutton were physical in the midfield, pressing attackers and winning the ball, with attacking midfielder Vanessa DiBernardo free to disperse to streaking attackers.—
PJ Green
April 5,
Kansas City Star,
5 Apr. 2026
-
Orlando was aggressive in the first half at Inter&Co Stadium, pressing Angel City (3-0-1) and forcing it into passing mistakes, though the first half ended in a scoreless draw.—
Kyle Foley,
The Orlando Sentinel,
4 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Longitudinal studies report 2 to 5 times higher risk for major depressive episodes during perimenopause compared with late premenopause.—
Allison Palmer,
Sacbee.com,
1 Apr. 2026
-
Studies have shown that giving ketamine without psychological support can reduce depressive symptoms and suicidality within hours.—
O. Rose Broderick,
STAT,
1 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The politicians who shut down the government are pathetic on both sides of the aisle.—
Joe Soucheray,
Twin Cities,
28 Mar. 2026
-
His Floyd constantly straddles the line between sweet and pathetic, often falling off one side or the other.—
Bill Goodykoontz,
AZCentral.com,
24 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Depressing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/depressing. Accessed 10 Apr. 2026.
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