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
Examples 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 depressing
USA TODAY, 20 Oct. 2024
On the highway, the car tracks your gaze and head position to make sure your eyes stay on the road the entire time—arguably more depressing and mind-numbing than regular highway driving.
—Kaitlyn Tiffany, The Atlantic, 16 Oct. 2024
Justin Worland, TIME, 4 Oct. 2024
Tax evasion is well above the European average—no wonder, since taxes on middle and upper incomes are punitive and are depressing consumption.
—Mark Gilbert, Foreign Affairs, 14 Dec. 2016
See all Example Sentences for depressing 
Adjective
Balancing your budget can feel depressing while the moon confronts Saturn.
—USA TODAY, 20 Oct. 2024
On the highway, the car tracks your gaze and head position to make sure your eyes stay on the road the entire time—arguably more depressing and mind-numbing than regular highway driving.
—Kaitlyn Tiffany, The Atlantic, 16 Oct. 2024
Verb
In either case, residents may choose to leave an area, driving down asset prices and depressing the local economy.
—Justin Worland, TIME, 4 Oct. 2024
Tax evasion is well above the European average—no wonder, since taxes on middle and upper incomes are punitive and are depressing consumption.
—Mark Gilbert, Foreign Affairs, 14 Dec. 2016
See all Example Sentences for depressing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for depressing
Adjective
-
Some recipients responded to the texts with anger and others with a sense of humor, but many agree that the messages seem to be a bleak foreshadowing.Char Adams, NBC News, 7 Nov. 2024
-
The stock's fate hinges on the 2024 presidential election results, with potential appreciation if Trump wins, but a bleak outlook if Kamala Harris prevails.Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2024
Adjective
-
Maybe not the question to ask a Canadian, but could sad smoke breaks bring America together today?Bethy Squires, Vulture, 6 Nov. 2024
-
One of Jones’ most famous productions stands as his top-selling title in this sad moment, but it’s not credited to him as an artist.Hugh McIntyre, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024
Verb
-
As research progresses, there is hope that these new strategies will provide patients with better options for recovery, reducing the physical and emotional toll of scarring.Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 4 Oct. 2024
-
By the start of the 20th century, other innovations included smokeless powder, dramatically reducing sniper signatures on the battlefield.Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 4 Oct. 2024
Verb
-
In other cases, such as a pressing in-the-moment circumstance, they aren’t allowed more time and must decide on the spot or in the blink of an eye.Lance Eliot, Forbes, 4 Oct. 2024
-
In other cases, such as a pressing in-the-moment circumstance, they aren’t allowed more time and must decide on the spot or in the blink of an eye.Lance Eliot, Forbes, 4 Oct. 2024
Adjective
-
What’s more, twice as many people in the group that got the active treatment reported remission of their depressive symptoms compared with people in the placebo group: 45% vs. 22%.Brenda Goodman, CNN, 1 Nov. 2024
-
While both psilocybin and escitalopram showed comparable improvement in depressive symptoms, people who took psilocybin reported greater joy in their lives — a significant plus in keeping depression at bay.Sandee LaMotte, CNN, 22 Oct. 2024
Adjective
-
The upcoming sequel to This Is Spinal Tap will be turning the pathetic knobs all the way to 11.Wesley Stenzel, EW.com, 1 Nov. 2024
-
After a downright pathetic few weeks, the Russians regrouped—or at least got regrouped enough.Marco Rubio, Newsweek, 1 Nov. 2024
Verb
-
Creating secondhand streams for fashion merchandise is one major lever toward lowering the industry’s impact.Sarah Jones, Sourcing Journal, 4 Oct. 2024
-
Creating secondhand streams for fashion merchandise is one major lever toward lowering the industry’s impact.Sarah Jones, Sourcing Journal, 4 Oct. 2024
Adjective
-
As results from the presidential election trickled in showing Vice President Kamala Harris’s growing deficit to former President Donald Trump, Simon took a somber tone.Chase Hunter, The Mercury News, 6 Nov. 2024
-
From Bill Plaschke: The silent, somber Bronx suddenly was bathed in joyous dancing blue, a screaming scrum leaping and bouncing and hugging into history.Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 31 Oct. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near depressing
Cite this Entry
“Depressing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/depressing. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share