as in bleak
causing or marked by an atmosphere lacking in cheer
the depressive story about a struggling artist
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of depressive
The fear alone sent Rzeznik down a depressive spiral of writer’s block, a move to New York City, and a separation from his wife.
—
Sam Sodomsky, Pitchfork, 14 Feb. 2026
What did this new study examine, and why did researchers focus on individual depressive symptoms instead of depression overall?
—Katia Hetter, CNN Money, 6 Feb. 2026
Santa Claus, onstage with a kitsch midcentury silver tree, has a depressive meltdown.
—Laura Regensdorf, Vogue, 4 Feb. 2026
Why Omega-3s Might Support Depression Omega-3s affect the brain in several ways that could help explain their potential to lift depressive symptoms.
—Sarah Garone, Health, 30 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for depressive
Sam Sodomsky, Pitchfork, 14 Feb. 2026
What did this new study examine, and why did researchers focus on individual depressive symptoms instead of depression overall?
—Katia Hetter, CNN Money, 6 Feb. 2026
Santa Claus, onstage with a kitsch midcentury silver tree, has a depressive meltdown.
—Laura Regensdorf, Vogue, 4 Feb. 2026
Why Omega-3s Might Support Depression Omega-3s affect the brain in several ways that could help explain their potential to lift depressive symptoms.
—Sarah Garone, Health, 30 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for depressive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for depressive
Adjective
-
For two teens unable to use their legs, the future was especially bleak.—
Nicole Acevedo,
NBC news,
7 Mar. 2026
-
So what’s to be done when things look bleak?—
Ryan Ermey,
CNBC,
6 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
That was the most depressing moment of my life.—
Adam Duxter,
CBS News,
12 Mar. 2026
-
And every note is a depressing true story about the teacher and principal.—
Bethy Squires,
Vulture,
8 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Gary is a lonely, unassuming postal worker who loves the Counting Crows.—
Maggie Fremont,
Vulture,
9 Mar. 2026
-
Its 1959 Googie-style sign pierces the sky, a beacon of hope for weary road-trippers cruising this achingly lonely stretch of highway.—
Zoey Goto,
Travel + Leisure,
8 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Whatever your position on the war, killing human beings is a matter for somber reflection and not the intense joy Hegseth displays.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
12 Mar. 2026
-
The big story Instead of trumpeting China's tech advances, Premier Li Qiang struck an uncharacteristically somber tone during a nationwide address on policy plans.—
Evelyn Cheng,
CNBC,
11 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Police released an image captured from a surveillance video showing a person wearing dark clothes and a backpack, with their face covered.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
10 Mar. 2026
-
But the late-Baroque facade of the building conceals a special, darker history, one that reflects persistent political and legal problems for the bank thousands of miles away, in the US.—
Hugo Miller,
Bloomberg,
10 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Instead, adventurous beachgoers can check out the remains of hundreds of shipwrecks, lodged in the desolate sand.—
Melanie van Zyl,
Travel + Leisure,
6 Mar. 2026
-
Your character is a shape-shifting Ditto, and you’ve been dropped in a desolate landscape.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
27 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Countries like the United States and the United Kingdom avoid talking about death, treating it as taboo or a morbid subject.—
Julia Ries Wexler,
Outside,
12 Mar. 2026
-
Death Cafe event in Encinitas Talking about death doesn’t have to be scary, morbid or sad.—
Ut Community Press,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
3 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Comedian Chris Tucker added some levity to the solemn services with a stand-up set.—
Matt Brown,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Mar. 2026
-
Also present for the solemn event were governors and senators from Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska and Florida.—
Dallas Morning News,
Dallas Morning News,
7 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Depressive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/depressive. Accessed 15 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
