depressing 1 of 2

adjective

di-ˈpre-siŋ How to pronounce depressing (audio)
Definition of depressingnext
1
as in bleak
causing or marked by an atmosphere lacking in cheer the depressing atmosphere of the empty mall

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2
as in sad
causing unhappiness more depressing news about the famine overseas

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

depressing

2 of 2

verb

present participle of depress
1
as in saddening
to make sad the thought of once again failing the bar exam depressed me

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2
as in throwing
to cause to fall intentionally or unintentionally construction workers depressed the roadbed in order to make way for an overpass

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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

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4
as in pressing
to push steadily against with some force depressed the lever to start the machine

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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 depressing
Adjective
Zvyagintsev loves a red herring almost as much as a cosmically depressing visual joke, like the tiny picture of Putin hanging over a boardroom. — Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 19 May 2026 Even more depressing, this scenario essentially puts an end to the good-government experiment in nonpartisan redistricting reform. — Steven Greenhut, Oc Register, 15 May 2026
Verb
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 Aside from the exclusivity, part of the appeal also comes from great marketing and the personalities of the sad boys themselves, who embrace the image of the lonely pint, eaten as a pick-me-up during depressing moments in life. — Colin Wrenn, Denver Post, 20 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for depressing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for depressing
  1. bleak
  2. sad
  3. saddening
  4. throwing
  5. reducing
  6. pressing
  7. depressive
  8. pathetic
Adjective
  • Houssem Aouar finally spied a gap in the Austrian defence and sent Mahrez through to score, sparking jubilation before Sasa Kalajdzic’s header confirmed a ridiculous ending to a game that was dramatic, bleak and then dramatic again.
    — Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 4 July 2026
  • Kehoe pointed to the state’s bleak finances in a statement explaining his cuts on Tuesday.
    — Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 1 July 2026
Definition of bleak
Adjective
  • Day broke, bathing everything in light, and so great was the vitality of the early-morning sun that even the unhappy city seemed to smile a wan, sad smile.
    — Vasily Grossman, Harpers Magazine, 30 June 2026
  • But SpringHill really took off in 2020, two seasons into James’ Lakers term, when The SpringHill Company went public (and the Lakers won the sad COVID-bubble NBA Championship).
    — Tony Maglio, HollywoodReporter, 30 June 2026
Definition of sad
Verb
  • The news was saddening for Jewell — but also alarming for the defense.
    — Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 19 Aug. 2025
Definition of saddening
Verb
  • The game featured two of baseball's best and hardest-throwing pitchers in Burns and Misiorowski.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 2 July 2026
  • Players will be hopping, throwing, rolling, shooting and more in a broad test of their reflexes.
    — Jordan Moreau, Variety, 2 July 2026
Definition of throwing
Verb
  • Manucurist formulates its masks with panthenol, a form of vitamin B5, to hydrate and strengthen dry nails over time, reducing breakage.
    — Irene Richardson, InStyle, 4 July 2026
  • Even tiny electromagnetic disturbances can disrupt the quantum states that perform calculations, reducing the accuracy and reliability of the system.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 3 July 2026
Definition of reducing
Verb
  • This involves pressing down on the ice cream to remove air bubbles.
    — Martha Stewart, Martha Stewart, 3 July 2026
  • Most believe that the federal government is too slow to address pressing issues in their districts.
    — Max Grinstein, The Washington Examiner, 3 July 2026
Definition of pressing
Adjective
  • Research from the University of Delaware’s Department of Women and Gender Studies found that body image concerns resulting from social pressures are linked to lower self-esteem, depressive symptoms, and disordered eating in young women.
    — Maia Niguel Hoskin, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026
  • Research also suggests changes in brain chemistry involving neurotransmitters such as serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine can cause depressive symptoms.
    — Sara Moniuszko, USA Today, 30 June 2026
Definition of depressive
Adjective
  • Instagram Plus is social media’s newest low—a company preying on our most pathetic impulses, for the price of a small iced coffee.
    — Annie Joy Williams, The Atlantic, 28 June 2026
  • After these first three majors — and after a pathetic showing this week at Shinnecock — there's no reason to bet against it.
    — Zach Dean OutKick, FOXNews.com, 20 June 2026
Definition of pathetic

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Cite this Entry

“Depressing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/depressing. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on depressing

Nglish: Translation of depressing for Spanish Speakers

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