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
Steve Madeley, The Athletic, 31 Dec. 2024
This means understanding when dating feels fun and energizing versus draining and depressing—and acting accordingly.
—Myisha Battle, TIME, 30 Dec. 2024
Jacob Posner, The Christian Science Monitor, 12 Dec. 2024
In Redfin's 2025 prediction report, analysts say the higher occurrence of natural disasters in these states could start depressing home prices, particularly in coastal Florida and hurricane-prone parts of Texas.
—Joseph Epstein, Newsweek, 10 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for depressing 
Adjective
As calendar years go, 2024 has been fairly depressing overall for fans of Wolverhampton Wanderers.
—Steve Madeley, The Athletic, 31 Dec. 2024
This means understanding when dating feels fun and energizing versus draining and depressing—and acting accordingly.
—Myisha Battle, TIME, 30 Dec. 2024
Verb
Inflation and interest rates grew during the pandemic, further depressing housing production, and supply chain disruptions drove up the cost of building materials.
—Jacob Posner, The Christian Science Monitor, 12 Dec. 2024
In Redfin's 2025 prediction report, analysts say the higher occurrence of natural disasters in these states could start depressing home prices, particularly in coastal Florida and hurricane-prone parts of Texas.
—Joseph Epstein, Newsweek, 10 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for depressing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for depressing
Adjective
-
But beneath Pansy’s rage, often a source of that specific, bleak brand of Mike Leigh comedy, lies severe OCD, anxiety, depression, and the grief of having recently lost her mother.Radhika Seth, Vogue, 7 Jan. 2025
-
While the art world has felt bleak amid a buckling market, a new art fair is gracing Los Angeles this year.Francesca Aton, ARTnews.com, 6 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
Of what relevance is an absurdist fable, written in German, about a sad man who transforms into an insect, to an American teenager in the twenty-first century?Harper's Magazine, Harper's Magazine, 2 Jan. 2025
-
The sad scenes that accompanied Rooney’s final game at Oxford felt a long way from the surge of optimism that greeted his arrival in Devon on a three-year contract in May.Richard Amofa, The Athletic, 1 Jan. 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
-
Studies show these reforms—reducing minimum parking requirements, legalizing ADUs, and simplifying permitting processes—resulted in more housing.Adam A. Millsap, Forbes, 6 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
Major capital projects like the new Dulaney and Towson High Schools, roads, libraries, police and fire stations and many other capital needs are pressing.Tom Quirk, Baltimore Sun, 23 Dec. 2024
-
Major capital projects like the new Dulaney and Towson High Schools, roads, libraries, police and fire stations and many other capital needs are pressing.Tom Quirk, Baltimore Sun, 23 Dec. 2024
Adjective
-
Not eating breakfast was associated with an alteration of sleep chronotypes and an increase in depressive symptoms which led to worse sleep quality, according to a 2023 study with over 700 college students.Renée Onque, CNBC, 27 Dec. 2024
-
While additional clinical trials are needed to understand the efficacy of astaxanthin on depressive symptoms in humans, initial studies in mice have been promising.Amiah Taylor, Discover Magazine, 25 Dec. 2024
Adjective
-
In the final, pathetic weeks of his failed presidency, Joe Biden has been casting about desperately for a positive legacy.Jack Butler, National Review, 12 Jan. 2025
-
The 10th pick will be your usual pathetic Bear player.Jon Greenberg, The Athletic, 5 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
Similarly, brands with in-house marketing capabilities can align production and promotion, lowering acquisition costs and increasing retention.Vincent Gregoire, Forbes, 3 Jan. 2025
-
Our work in the next session must be focused on lowering costs and helping people make ends meet, not more giveaways to the special interests [of the] wealthy.Dan Perry, Newsweek, 3 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
Despite being known as a city that puts smiles on faces and provides a good time to all, the mood in New Orleans has been much more somber the past few days.William Guillory, The Athletic, 4 Jan. 2025
-
While Syrians in the capital looked forward to a new beginning after Assad’s ouster, the mood was more somber along Beirut’s Mediterranean promenade, where residents shared cautious hopes for the new year, reflecting on a country still reeling from war and ongoing crises.Ghaith Alsayed, Los Angeles Times, 31 Dec. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near depressing
Cite this Entry
“Depressing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/depressing. Accessed 18 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share