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
Daniella Gray, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 May 2025
For every past depressive episode, the likelihood of having another one goes up.
—Carolyn L. Todd, SELF, 2 May 2025
Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 31 Mar. 2025
Also, single high-dose LSD treatment very likely works in patients with depressive or anxiety disorders.
—New Atlas, 3 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for depressive
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Adjective
The investigation specifically focused on 1,422 fathers who were screened for depressive symptoms when their children were five years old, Schmitz told Newsweek.
—Daniella Gray, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 May 2025
For every past depressive episode, the likelihood of having another one goes up.
—Carolyn L. Todd, SELF, 2 May 2025
Noun
Like any self-respecting depressive who’s unready to address her self-sabotaging, Laurie bails on their impromptu intervention before entrées.
—Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 31 Mar. 2025
Also, single high-dose LSD treatment very likely works in patients with depressive or anxiety disorders.
—New Atlas, 3 Apr. 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 1 Jun. 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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