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
Kevin Jacobsen, Entertainment Weekly, 28 Dec. 2025
Most Americans find keeping up with the news quite depressing.
—Solcyré Burga, Time, 26 Dec. 2025
CNN Money, 30 Oct. 2025
This sounds like depressing stuff, and Mothertongue is not extremely upbeat.
—Jordan Mintzer, HollywoodReporter, 30 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for depressing
Adjective
These are films that reflect the human condition in all its depressing glory, holding up a mirror while entertaining us at the same time.
—Kevin Jacobsen, Entertainment Weekly, 28 Dec. 2025
Most Americans find keeping up with the news quite depressing.
—Solcyré Burga, Time, 26 Dec. 2025
Verb
Broader health insurance protections could prevent more Americans from sinking into debt and depressing their credit scores.
—CNN Money, 30 Oct. 2025
This sounds like depressing stuff, and Mothertongue is not extremely upbeat.
—Jordan Mintzer, HollywoodReporter, 30 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for depressing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for depressing
Adjective
-
Her family later learned that on April 23, 2021 — the day Parker found his aunt in a bleak mood — Dee had an angry confrontation over financial issues with two employees of the trucking company.—
Christine Pelisek,
PEOPLE,
10 Jan. 2026
-
Some of Tarr’s most memorable scenes feature landscapes, often bleak and despairing settings of decaying Hungarian towns, punctuated with close-ups of characters’ faces.—
John Penner,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
And when the detective handed his business card over and explained the situation, the guy was very distraught and very sad.—
Virginia Chamlee,
PEOPLE,
15 Jan. 2026
-
Thoughts about sad events stopped causing days-long spirals, and tasks that once felt insurmountable were no longer a second thought.—
CNN.com Wire Service,
Mercury News,
15 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The news was saddening for Jewell — but also alarming for the defense.—
Alex Zietlow,
Charlotte Observer,
19 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
After throwing for just 241 total yards in wins over Texas A&M and Ohio State to start Miami’s postseason journey, Beck completed 23 of 37 passes for 268 yards and two touchdowns with one interception and had the game-clinching rushing touchdown.—
Jordan McPherson,
Miami Herald,
9 Jan. 2026
-
This happened after a number of protesters began throwing snowballs at federal vehicles on the scene.—
WCCO Staff,
CBS News,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The plant will focus on advanced packaging, which involves combining multiple memory chips into a single, high-density unit to improve performance and energy efficiency while reducing overall size.—
Dylan Butts,
CNBC,
13 Jan. 2026
-
The team achieved a 20 percent reduction in turbine weight per megawatt compared to the industry average, assisting with installation while also reducing costs.—
Ameya Paleja,
Interesting Engineering,
13 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The fiscally moderate governor has been pressing unions to roll back some of the flexible work-from-home rules established during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021.—
Keith M. Phaneuf,
Hartford Courant,
13 Jan. 2026
-
When the opponent has the ball and Atlanta United is pressing, Almirón and Miranchuk’s roles will depend on whether the team is marking man-to-man or defending zones.—
Doug Roberson,
AJC.com,
13 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
During high-stress situations, accepting negative emotions rather than avoiding them can reduce depressive symptoms.—
Stacy Shaw,
Fortune,
26 Dec. 2025
-
During high-stress situations, accepting negative emotions rather than avoiding them can reduce depressive symptoms.—
Stacy Shaw,
The Conversation,
18 Dec. 2025
Adjective
-
If two out of 10 germinate, that’s pathetic.—
Clarence Schmidt,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
14 Jan. 2026
-
Even more pathetic was when Maher, who initially had claimed to be a captain, discovered that Yasser’s imaginary rank outranked his own.—
Elizabeth Tsurkov,
The Atlantic,
11 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Depressing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/depressing. Accessed 19 Jan. 2026.
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