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
Cody Stavenhagen,
New York Times,
2 June 2026
Almost a year out to sea is very depressing.
—
Steve Walsh,
NPR,
23 May 2026
Los Angeles Times,
27 May 2026
Each is separately spring-loaded, depressing four millimeters at most (though they can be actuated with as little as two millimeters of travel) before bouncing back with a confirming click.
—
Literary Hub,
19 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for depressing
Adjective
The mood has gotten rather depressing.
—
Cody Stavenhagen,
New York Times,
2 June 2026
Almost a year out to sea is very depressing.
—
Steve Walsh,
NPR,
23 May 2026
Verb
In 1993, a storm with baseball-size hail wiped out the local wheat harvest, depressing incomes and leaving the town too poor to remove damaged buildings.
—
Los Angeles Times,
27 May 2026
Each is separately spring-loaded, depressing four millimeters at most (though they can be actuated with as little as two millimeters of travel) before bouncing back with a confirming click.
—
Literary Hub,
19 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for depressing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for depressing
Adjective
-
The goofy sketch comedies and homemade spoofs that once filled his channel gradually disappeared, replaced by melancholy short films and bleak monologues.
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Cher’s court documents paint a bleak picture of how Allman, 49, allegedly blows through his $120,000 annual trust distributions.
Adjective
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Then Greene takes a long, sad subway ride home, and America learns that one of their favorite TV doctors isn't flawless.
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Local foodies were sad to hear owner Sylvia Chung (Momma Chung) retired and closed the south Fort Worth restaurant in October of last year.
Verb
-
The news was saddening for Jewell — but also alarming for the defense.
Verb
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The Rockies struck first on TJ Rumfield's first-inning RBI single, but the Twins answered after Lewis scored on a throwing error in the second.
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He was reportedly hired and fired several times and went on to make a few more media appearances on WWE Monday Night Raw and in the Jim Rose Circus as part of a knife-throwing act.
Verb
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This lifts the hull out of the water, reducing hydrodynamic drag and minimizing wake generation.
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On Tuesday, Uzbekistan was soundly thrashed by Portugal 5-0 — significantly reducing the country's chances to qualify for the next round of play in this World Cup, the first ever for a Central Asian nation.
Verb
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Apple has a similar feature on the iPhone where pressing the side and volume buttons simultaneously disables Face ID.
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But regulation did not stop housing prices from being a pressing concern for New Yorkers.
Adjective
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Two-thirds of respondents afflicted with alpha-gal reported anxiety or depressive disorders in a 2025 University of Missouri survey.
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There are four basic types of the disorder, which are characterized by periods of elation and hyperactivity known as manic episodes, which are then followed by depressive stages where the patient experiences feelings of sadness and depression.
Adjective
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After these first three majors — and after a pathetic showing this week at Shinnecock — there's no reason to bet against it.
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The Right Now’s Diana Levy — the executive producer of the stunt — asked reporters to spread out in a way that would make the turnout appear as sparse (and therefore pathetic) as possible.
Cite this Entry
“Depressing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/depressing. Accessed 30 Jun. 2026.
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