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
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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
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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
Liam Twomey, New York Times, 2 Aug. 2025
Ari Aster’s first feature kicked off with the accidental decapitation of a child, and each subsequent film has only gotten more depressing from there.
—Nate Jones, Vulture, 18 July 2025
Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 12 Feb. 2025
They had been held back by former Mayor Sanders’ invalidated initiative that had seriously hampered the recruitment and retention of city employees by depressing wages and making San Diego uncompetitive.
—Chris Brewster, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for depressing
Adjective
The fact that the jokes about Joao Felix come so easily is a little depressing.
—Liam Twomey, New York Times, 2 Aug. 2025
Ari Aster’s first feature kicked off with the accidental decapitation of a child, and each subsequent film has only gotten more depressing from there.
—Nate Jones, Vulture, 18 July 2025
Verb
This would stop companies from artificially depressing their financial state to justify rate increases, the lawmakers said.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 12 Feb. 2025
They had been held back by former Mayor Sanders’ invalidated initiative that had seriously hampered the recruitment and retention of city employees by depressing wages and making San Diego uncompetitive.
—Chris Brewster, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for depressing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for depressing
Adjective
-
Directed by Paul Schrader with a script by Bret Easton Ellis, this spiritually bleak L.A. drama features Lohan’s most daring performance, and probably the only one that manages to break completely with her childhood and adolescent roles.—
Tom Gliatto,
People.com,
9 Aug. 2025
-
The situation is bleak enough that, even if aid increases rapidly in the coming weeks, deaths from starvation are almost certain to rise.—
Isaac Chotiner,
New Yorker,
5 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
How long is unknown, but with the season winding down and every game increasing in importance, any game off for Tucker is a sad statement on how far his stock has dropped in the last month.—
Paul Sullivan,
Chicago Tribune,
19 Aug. 2025
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But the film’s precise, funny characters and vivid, sweltering look would have meant nothing without Lee’s wise and ultimately sad vision of multicultural America as a place where good intentions and casual mistrust are as commonplace as the local pizzeria.—
Tim Grierson,
Vulture,
16 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
State governments, as well as drug manufacturers, provide financial help to the uninsured, often reducing the cost of PrEP medicines to zero.—
James K. Glassman,
Boston Herald,
6 Jan. 2025
-
Device lifecycle management and repair services will become increasingly important, reducing the amount of technology that ends up in landfills.—
Max Silber,
Forbes,
6 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
Brighton are a very high-pressing team, so there were reasons.—
Megan Feringa,
The Athletic,
24 Mar. 2025
-
Add chicken and toss until evenly coated, pressing to adhere.—
Kimberly Holland,
Southern Living,
23 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
The researchers combined data from three previous German randomized clinical trials that aimed to reduce elevated depressive symptoms and diabetes distress in people with type 1 or type 2 diabetes.—
Paul McClure
August 09,
New Atlas,
9 Aug. 2025
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However, the majority of those studies found that the supplements didn’t outperform a placebo in reducing depressive symptoms.—
Kaitlin Sullivan,
Health,
16 July 2025
Adjective
-
What’s more pathetic than those who keep selling that myth?—
Orlando Sentinel,
The Orlando Sentinel,
6 Aug. 2025
-
Kamala has lied for years about their pathetic job growth, which has never been real.—
Meg Kinnard,
Fortune,
5 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
These photovoltaic panels are designed to generate renewable energy on-site, significantly reducing the building’s environmental impact while also lowering its operational costs.—
Kurt Knutsson, CyberGuy Report,
Fox News,
14 Mar. 2025
-
New Mexico policymakers can improve the state’s economy by lowering tax rates and reducing barriers to work.—
Adam A. Millsap,
Forbes,
14 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
Despite its somber lyrics, the song’s beat will rightfully lead to voguing in a party setting.—
Meagan Jordan,
Rolling Stone,
22 Aug. 2025
-
Despite his seemingly somber expression, Max is a happy dog.—
Alice Gibbs,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Depressing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/depressing. Accessed 27 Aug. 2025.
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