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
Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 2 Mar. 2026
One day, one of the less depressing reminders of said past comes knocking in the form of an old Navy SEAL buddy, Calvin (Logan Marshall-Green, who’s evolved from Tom Hardy clone to Jon Bernthal lookalike).
—Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 27 Feb. 2026
Grace Rauh, New York Daily News, 3 Feb. 2026
More than 140 million Americans were under winter storm warnings, depressing moviegoing.
—Jake Coyle, Chicago Tribune, 25 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for depressing
Adjective
The Dubs, meanwhile, are a sad, depressing mess.
—Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 2 Mar. 2026
One day, one of the less depressing reminders of said past comes knocking in the form of an old Navy SEAL buddy, Calvin (Logan Marshall-Green, who’s evolved from Tom Hardy clone to Jon Bernthal lookalike).
—Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 27 Feb. 2026
Verb
In overwhelmingly Democratic districts, the outcome is almost always predetermined, further depressing turnout and weakening accountability.
—Grace Rauh, New York Daily News, 3 Feb. 2026
More than 140 million Americans were under winter storm warnings, depressing moviegoing.
—Jake Coyle, Chicago Tribune, 25 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for depressing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for depressing
Adjective
-
But just as the season was looking bleak, the Horned Frogs began to evolve into the best versions of themselves.—
Steven Johnson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
14 Mar. 2026
-
But as bleak losses pile up at the end of another disappointing season, this defensive disconnect remains a clear focal point for the team’s plans to build a better future.—
Julia Poe,
Chicago Tribune,
13 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
So is this really worth being sad about?—
Andrew P. Collins,
The Drive,
19 Mar. 2026
-
Perhaps the saddest was the case of a Garden Grove gas station owner who was convicted of misdemeanors for illegally giving customers preferential treatment.—
Patt Morrison,
Los Angeles Times,
18 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The news was saddening for Jewell — but also alarming for the defense.—
Alex Zietlow,
Charlotte Observer,
19 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
With Brubaker already capable of throwing multiple innings, Lucchesi’s presence in this specific bullpen may be a bit redundant.—
Justice delos Santos,
Mercury News,
15 Mar. 2026
-
The incident is the latest in a years-long and growing trend of concertgoers throwing objects at artists during live performances.—
Jessica Lynch,
Billboard,
15 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The departments of Commerce, Housing and Urban Development and Transportation, along with the Federal Housing Finance Agency, are instructed to eliminate regulations and update programs that are reducing residential development.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
14 Mar. 2026
-
But the practical effect also meant that the entire second floor of the hotel was turned over to the pope, reducing its capacity for paying guests.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
14 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Avoid pressing too hard, as excessive pressure can push debris into the glass.—
Jacob Little,
Space.com,
14 Mar. 2026
-
Ferruzzi and his team then did biomechanical testing, including pressing tiny probes into the tissue to measure its resistance to pressure and examining how the samples responded to compression.—
Miriam Fauzia,
Dallas Morning News,
13 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Studies show that adults with anxiety and untreated ADHD suffer greater functional impairment and more frequent relapses, meaning their severe anxiety or depressive episodes keep returning despite therapy or medication.—
Deldhy Nicolás Moya Sánchez,
The Conversation,
16 Mar. 2026
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Research suggests changes in brain chemistry involving neurotransmitters such as serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine can cause depressive symptoms, says Noorlander.—
Daryl Austin,
USA Today,
14 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Astin sinks into his pathetic character with full commitment, but the running gag about Ron getting more upset about the possibility of being banned from the fast-food restaurant than anything else is hammered so relentlessly that the character just seems mentally challenged.—
Frank Scheck,
HollywoodReporter,
14 Mar. 2026
-
Of course, the notes turn out to mostly be about her as well as the principal (played by Gosling), detailing their most pathetic behaviors.—
Ben Rosenstock,
Vulture,
8 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Depressing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/depressing. Accessed 21 Mar. 2026.
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