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
Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 31 Jan. 2026
Winter can be gloomy, dreary, and depressing.
—Kari Leibowitz, CNBC, 27 Jan. 2026
Ewan Spence, Forbes.com, 16 Jan. 2026
Oop, depressing parental-lore reveal time.
—Emma Specter, Vogue, 27 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for depressing
Adjective
The film begins as a portrait of untapped nature before turning into a depressing reminder of how quickly and aggressively the modern world comes for the corners of this planet that have so far resisted destruction.
—Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 31 Jan. 2026
Winter can be gloomy, dreary, and depressing.
—Kari Leibowitz, CNBC, 27 Jan. 2026
Verb
That leaves the question of making the 17e value for money while also not depressing potential iPhone 17 sales.
—Ewan Spence, Forbes.com, 16 Jan. 2026
Oop, depressing parental-lore reveal time.
—Emma Specter, Vogue, 27 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for depressing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for depressing
Adjective
-
Internet connectivity has been partially restored, but experts are warning that, even on the other side of the digital blackout, the outlook for Iranian internet access remains bleak.—
Kevin Liptak,
CNN Money,
5 Feb. 2026
-
In Havana, reaction to the president's upcoming contingency plan to grapple with fuel shortages was bleak.—
Orlando Matos,
NBC news,
5 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Meanwhile, Nancy Guthrie's Arizona community gathered for a vigil Wednesday evening while the world can't look away from an incident that is deeply, horrifically sad and frightening.—
Nicole Fallert,
USA Today,
5 Feb. 2026
-
The song is sophisticated and simple, sad and somehow triumphant.—
Jed Gottlieb,
Boston Herald,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The news was saddening for Jewell — but also alarming for the defense.—
Alex Zietlow,
Charlotte Observer,
19 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
The duo got together for a throwing session a couple of weeks ago to hone their chemistry on routes.—
Kyle Newman,
Denver Post,
1 Feb. 2026
-
Panthers owner David Tepper, with a net worth of $20 billion, was fined only $300,000 for throwing a drink at Jaguars fans.—
Ian O'Connor,
New York Times,
1 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The system responded within milliseconds, fast enough to support real-time reactions such as pulling away from harmful contact or reducing applied force during interaction.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
8 Feb. 2026
-
Republicans argued the bill would accomplish little in the way of reducing rates and would demonize utility executives.—
Christine Condon,
Baltimore Sun,
7 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The ensuing density of pattern pressing against pattern animates a play of geometries and rhythms that links Keïta’s visual schemas to those of European abstraction.—
Zoë Hopkins,
New Yorker,
7 Feb. 2026
-
Now, amid pressing international conflicts, the Olympics is one of the most significant geopolitical events of the year.—
Samuel Sanders,
Time,
6 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Why Omega-3s Might Support Depression Omega-3s affect the brain in several ways that could help explain their potential to lift depressive symptoms.—
Sarah Garone,
Health,
30 Jan. 2026
-
The research relied on metrics covering loneliness, depressive symptoms, memory, and grip strength to gauge physical health.—
Tristan Bove,
Fortune,
29 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
These attempts at sowing division are pathetic and getting boring.—
Rhyma Castillo,
San Antonio Express-News,
29 Jan. 2026
-
For Guardiola to focus on lambasting Hallam was pretty pathetic, all told.—
Tim Spiers,
New York Times,
26 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Depressing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/depressing. Accessed 9 Feb. 2026.
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