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
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
-
Charlotte Lawrence loves a good, gut-wrenching, sad song.—
Leah Lu,
Rolling Stone,
7 Aug. 2025
-
Even weeks following the sad news, Black Sabbath is still dominating, and several of the group’s albums climb to new peaks decades after they were first released.—
Hugh McIntyre,
Forbes.com,
6 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
-
Use of an oxytocin nasal spray combined with psychotherapy may have a greater effect on reducing depressive symptoms in people with mental health disorders than either treatment alone, a recent study reported.—
The Washington Post,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
5 Aug. 2025
-
More than 18% of adults in that age group have had a depressive episode, according to a report from the National Institute of Mental Health.—
Maggie Menderski,
The Courier-Journal,
1 Aug. 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
-
High-contrast, stark black-and-white tones, water droplets and a somber expression emerging from shadows.—
Evan J. Schwartz,
Forbes.com,
6 Aug. 2025
-
There were no somber emotions this time from Dončić’s side, with Balkan music blasting throughout the practice facility before he and Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka held a news conference to celebrate Dončić’s extension.—
Khobi Price,
Chicago Tribune,
3 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Depressing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/depressing. Accessed 21 Aug. 2025.
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