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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of depressing
Steve Walsh, NPR, 23 May 2026
Zvyagintsev loves a red herring almost as much as a cosmically depressing visual joke, like the tiny picture of Putin hanging over a boardroom.
—Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 19 May 2026
Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 27 Apr. 2026
Aside from the exclusivity, part of the appeal also comes from great marketing and the personalities of the sad boys themselves, who embrace the image of the lonely pint, eaten as a pick-me-up during depressing moments in life.
—Colin Wrenn, Denver Post, 20 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for depressing
Adjective
Almost a year out to sea is very depressing.
—Steve Walsh, NPR, 23 May 2026
Zvyagintsev loves a red herring almost as much as a cosmically depressing visual joke, like the tiny picture of Putin hanging over a boardroom.
—Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 19 May 2026
Verb
At risk of depressing you, nothing.
—Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 27 Apr. 2026
Aside from the exclusivity, part of the appeal also comes from great marketing and the personalities of the sad boys themselves, who embrace the image of the lonely pint, eaten as a pick-me-up during depressing moments in life.
—Colin Wrenn, Denver Post, 20 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for depressing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for depressing
Adjective
-
In Meetings, Merlin sat agitated with a folder of newspaper clippings in his lap, occasionally shedding bleak confetti.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
19 Aug. 2025
-
On paper, business over the next few weeks looks bleak.—
Rebecca Rubin,
Variety,
19 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
And that is what is, to use Hill's phrase, terribly sad.—
Bobby Burack OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
11 June 2026
-
The sad thing for me is that, as a young actor, there was a platform for small independent films that were interesting.—
Rafa Sales Ross,
Variety,
11 June 2026
Verb
-
The news was saddening for Jewell — but also alarming for the defense.—
Alex Zietlow,
Charlotte Observer,
19 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Paul Goldschmidt hit an infield single off Braydon Fisher (2-2) to begin the ninth and advanced on Fisher's throwing error.—
CBS New York Team,
CBS News,
15 June 2026
-
But Nick Loftin, who pinch-hit for Michael Massey, committed a costly mistake, throwing just wide of Jac Caglianone, who was playing first base because Vinnie Pasquantino had exited the game earlier with an injury (more about that below).—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
14 June 2026
Verb
-
While it is known that close contact with others can increase the transmission of certain viruses, the study highlights in greater detail how improving classroom ventilation could have notable impacts in reducing transmission.—
Jasmine Laws,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Dec. 2025
-
Eventually, this mine’s successful operation will substantially increase China’s domestic supply capacity, simultaneously reducing its reliance on imports from other countries.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
8 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
Inherently, Liverpool’s pressing approach is fine and not unusual.—
Liam Tharme,
New York Times,
12 Dec. 2025
-
Dodge said one of the keys is not pressing, forcing things and allowing the game to come to him.—
Charles Baggarly,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
11 Dec. 2025
Adjective
-
According to the Cleveland Clinic, bipolar disorder is marked by periods of mania, along with depressive episodes.—
Vanessa Etienne,
PEOPLE,
15 June 2026
-
In a 2025 study of 209 adolescents aged 10 to 17 who had a depressive or anxiety disorder, researchers examined iron deficiency and anxiety through brain scans and interviews.—
Sarah Bence,
Verywell Health,
10 June 2026
Adjective
-
Sports make people a little pathetic.—
Hannah Keyser,
CNN Money,
9 June 2026
-
Williams didn't portray Peter Banning as pathetic.—
Cynthia Pelayo,
PEOPLE,
8 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Depressing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/depressing. Accessed 17 Jun. 2026.
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