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
Nate Anderson, ArsTechnica, 13 May 2026
Because what could be more depressing than just passively watching the world burn and melt and crumble?
—Literary Hub, 6 May 2026
Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 12 Apr. 2026
Trump's previous suggestions that war could quickly end have been effective at depressing prices, said Bob McNally, president of Rapidan Energy.
—Spencer Kimball, CNBC, 2 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for depressing
Adjective
Such widespread outsourcing of thought and memory is deeply depressing to many educators.
—Nate Anderson, ArsTechnica, 13 May 2026
Because what could be more depressing than just passively watching the world burn and melt and crumble?
—Literary Hub, 6 May 2026
Verb
So why isn’t any of this depressing him?
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 12 Apr. 2026
Trump's previous suggestions that war could quickly end have been effective at depressing prices, said Bob McNally, president of Rapidan Energy.
—Spencer Kimball, CNBC, 2 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for depressing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for depressing
Adjective
-
While the overall state of the Angels remains bleak – their 18-34 record is the worst in the majors – on this night the fans could enjoy a rare break from the misery.—
Jeff Fletcher,
Oc Register,
23 May 2026
-
In a world that often feels increasingly bleak and politically exhausted, there’s comfort in leaning into softness, seduction, and fantasy, and in letting your wardrobe reflect that desire too.—
Tiana Randall,
Forbes.com,
22 May 2026
Adjective
-
The failure of so many in the political world to speak up displays a sad and growing moral bankruptcy.—
Bobby Zirkin,
Baltimore Sun,
14 May 2026
-
Don’t be sad — this is not a farewell forever.—
Denni Hu,
Footwear News,
14 May 2026
Verb
-
The news was saddening for Jewell — but also alarming for the defense.—
Alex Zietlow,
Charlotte Observer,
19 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Igor Mykhaylovych Lytvynchuk, 38, of Covington, Washington, is accused of throwing a rock at the head of an endangered Hawaiian monk seal — one of the rarest marine mammals in the world — earlier this month in an incident caught on camera by beachgoers.—
Michael Sinkewicz,
FOXNews.com,
18 May 2026
-
Special props to the jolly axe-throwing head of adventure, Nye Rees; personable Brasserie maitre d’, Javier Padron; and trainer Peter Sullivan, who explained the finer points of fasting for women whilst crucifying my glutes.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
18 May 2026
Verb
-
The majority-Republican House Committee on Appropriations proposed on Wednesday less extreme but still substantial cuts, slashing 20% from the agency and reducing funding to the state clean water programs by almost 25%.—
Adriana Pérez,
Chicago Tribune,
24 May 2026
-
On the next play, an Evans flyout scored Rey, reducing the deficit to 6-3.—
Matt Murschel,
The Orlando Sentinel,
24 May 2026
Verb
-
Thousands of earthquakes happen every year in Hawaii, most too tiny to be felt, due to activity from volcanoes or because of the weight of the islands pressing down on the Earth's underlying crust.—
Jeanine Santucci,
USA Today,
23 May 2026
-
Two blocks away, the town’s recovery is pressing ahead.—
Bryan P. Sears,
Baltimore Sun,
23 May 2026
Adjective
-
And while all researchers recognize numerous factors that contribute to this troubling uptick, a key finding by NIH’s Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) Study is that screen time in late childhood predicts increased depressive symptoms in early adolescence.—
Jean Case,
Time,
14 May 2026
-
For patients with three or more lifetime depressive episodes, the ASCP itself supports indefinite maintenance therapy.—
Jonathan Slater,
STAT,
13 May 2026
Adjective
-
Like everyone else, Ryan only calls him lonely and pathetic.—
Ben Rosenstock,
Vulture,
20 May 2026
-
Just an old, insufferable, pathetic, sad loser.—
Zach Dean OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
8 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Depressing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/depressing. Accessed 24 May. 2026.
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