de·pres·sive
di-ˈpre-siv 
dē-
1
: tending to depress
2
: of, relating to, marked by, or affected by psychological depression
depressive symptoms
a depressive patient
depressively
adverb
: one who is affected with or prone to psychological depression
Examples of depressive in a Sentence
Adjective
the depressive story about a struggling artist
Recent Examples on the Web
Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 21 Mar. 2025
There are four basic types of the disorder, which are characterized by periods of elation and hyper-activity known as manic episodes, which are then followed by depressive stages where the patient experiences feelings of sadness and depression.
—Vanessa Etienne, People.com, 14 Mar. 2025
Lidija Haas, Harper's Magazine, 3 Mar. 2025
It's often associated with major depressive, bipolar or substance use disorders, report co-author and senior policy director at Healthier Colorado Christina Walker tells us.
—Esteban L. Hernandez, Axios, 7 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for depressive
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Adjective
Mindfulness mediates the association between chronotype and depressive symptoms in young adults.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 21 Mar. 2025
There are four basic types of the disorder, which are characterized by periods of elation and hyper-activity known as manic episodes, which are then followed by depressive stages where the patient experiences feelings of sadness and depression.
—Vanessa Etienne, People.com, 14 Mar. 2025
Noun
One thinks of depressive, overmedicated narrators in novels by Ottessa Moshfegh or Emma Cline, Rachel Cusk’s Outline trilogy, or the anglophone vogue for Sebaldian autofiction.
—Lidija Haas, Harper's Magazine, 3 Mar. 2025
It's often associated with major depressive, bipolar or substance use disorders, report co-author and senior policy director at Healthier Colorado Christina Walker tells us.
—Esteban L. Hernandez, Axios, 7 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for depressive
Cite this Entry
“Depressive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/depressive. Accessed 3 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
depressive
1 of 2 adjective
de·pres·sive
di-ˈpres-iv
1
: tending to depress
2
: of, relating to, marked by, or affected by psychological depression
the patient was paranoid and depressive
depressive symptoms
depressive
2 of 2 noun
: one who is affected with or prone to psychological depression
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