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
Shawn Tully, Fortune, 23 Apr. 2026
Dede Ayite’s costume design nails each character, from Catherine’s slouchy, depressing sweats-and-flannels to Claire’s chic, New York casual-glam.
—Greg Evans, Deadline, 16 Apr. 2026
Spencer Kimball, CNBC, 2 Apr. 2026
Your negativity is depressing young people, and keeping them from having children and looking forward to the future.
—Letters To The Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 31 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for depressing
Adjective
That’s already a depressing number.
—Shawn Tully, Fortune, 23 Apr. 2026
Dede Ayite’s costume design nails each character, from Catherine’s slouchy, depressing sweats-and-flannels to Claire’s chic, New York casual-glam.
—Greg Evans, Deadline, 16 Apr. 2026
Verb
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
Your negativity is depressing young people, and keeping them from having children and looking forward to the future.
—Letters To The Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 31 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for depressing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for depressing
Adjective
-
Speaking at an event held at the Aloft Hotel in Doral, a hub for Venezuelan diaspora activism, Guanipa painted a bleak picture of conditions inside Venezuela and sharply criticized the country’s current leadership, accusing those in power of clinging to control despite widespread rejection.—
Antonio María Delgado,
Miami Herald,
2 May 2026
-
Without giving too much away about the endings of Caveat and Oddity, McCarthy (like Ohm) leans toward the bleak and open-ended.—
Louis Peitzman,
Vulture,
1 May 2026
Adjective
-
Back in the city, Amanda and Ciara go for a walk so that Amanda can hear all about the makeup with West and then tell Ciara the very sad tale of her love story as it was related to their couple’s therapist.—
Brian Moylan,
Vulture,
29 Apr. 2026
-
None at all leads to slow, pale, sad-looking growth that limps through the season.—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Miami Herald,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The news was saddening for Jewell — but also alarming for the defense.—
Alex Zietlow,
Charlotte Observer,
19 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Carr is a natural athlete who moves like a great shortstop, and his ability to find cleaner throwing air out of the pocket — and his ability to make throws from multiple arm slots — is special.—
Nick Baumgardner,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Shota Imanaga isn’t known for throwing his sweeper much.—
Meghan Montemurro,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
These will compete with strawberries for nutrients and space—worse, cabbage leaves will create shade, reducing flower and fruit production.—
Helena Madden,
Martha Stewart,
2 May 2026
-
Supporters of a rescue including labor unions representing Spirit’s pilots, flight attendants and ramp workers said a collapse would put thousands of Americans out of work and hurt consumers by reducing airline competition and increasing airfares.—
Aamer Madhani,
Fortune,
2 May 2026
Verb
-
Unlike with some rookies, the Rangers won’t have to make any pressing decisions with Sýkora.—
Peter Baugh,
New York Times,
1 May 2026
-
Crowds lingered, pressing against barricades, hoping for just one more glimpse.—
Erin Hill,
PEOPLE,
1 May 2026
Adjective
-
Treating depressive symptoms without looking at factors such as childhood trauma, the loss of a loved one, or being laid off from a job is an incomplete approach, many mental health researchers and clinicians say.—
Aneri Pattani,
CBS News,
28 Apr. 2026
-
But its depressive effect can harm mental health, physical health, and personal relationships.—
Claire Zillman,
Fortune,
23 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
But as Notes from Underground progresses, his behavior turns from funny to pathetic to downright despicable.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
29 Apr. 2026
-
Over pinwheeling synths, Mahesh inhabits her narrator’s misplaced longing with gooey, heart-eyed delusion and sweetly pathetic determination.—
Harry Tafoya,
Pitchfork,
24 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Depressing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/depressing. Accessed 4 May. 2026.
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