DEPRESSING Synonyms: 304 Similar and Opposite Words

depressing 1 of 2

adjective

di-ˈpre-siŋ

Definition of depressing

as in bleak

causing or marked by an atmosphere lacking in cheer the depressing atmosphere of the empty mall

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

as in saddening

to make sad the thought of once again failing the bar exam depressed me

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

That’s the depressing takeaway from the OpenAI’s CEO’s September 23rd speech to the United Nations. — Christopher Koopman, Fortune, 9 Oct. 2026 There will be pockets of opportunities from these old big department stores, which are underinvested and a bit depressing to walk around. — Lucy Maguire, Vogue, 5 Oct. 2026

Verb

Idaho Dairymen’s Association CEO Rick Naerebout told the Statesman that over the years there has been frustration in the industry with Canada over dairy regulations and trade policies depressing world market prices. — Idaho Statesman, 3 Sep. 2026 Also helping is Kevin Warsh, the new Federal Reserve head, who is working to get our central bank focused on currency stability as the way to fight inflation, rather than depressing economic activity. — Steve Forbes, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for depressing

Recent Examples of Synonyms for depressing

Adjective

Unlike Gregor Samsa who is confined to his room after transforming into a huge insect, the protagonist still has to go to work, a dark and bleak absurdity that lays bare the alienation, isolation, and hypocrisy of modern life.

— Deadline, Deadline, 14 Oct. 2026
Providing a faint ray of hope in this otherwise bleak start to life, the five baby orangutans have been settling into their new surroundings in Odisha at the Nandankanan Zoo.

— Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of bleak

Adjective

When the modern-day world has nothing to offer us but AI slop, shrinkflation and a sad acceptance that we can't be bothered to do anything about global warming.

— Ian Stokes, Space.com, 19 Oct. 2026
This island that was so fantastic has become Work Island and that’s sad.

— Joe Lynch, Billboard, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of sad

Verb

Jayden Daniels nearly salvaged the night without his top weapon, throwing second-half touchdown passes to Stefon Diggs and Rachaad White to cut the deficit to 23-17 before the 49ers' defense held firm on Washington's final possession.

— Alejandro Avila OutKick, FOXNews.com, 20 Oct. 2026
His final output was nothing to write home about, throwing for 264 yards to no touchdowns and one interception, but Dieffenbach more than passed the eye test.

— Connor Dullinger, Los Angeles Times, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of throwing

Verb

While serving as a public health official, el Sayed wrote an op-ed in 2019 strongly supporting the Green New Deal, arguing that reducing greenhouse gas emissions will help improve public health.

— Maydeen Merino, The Washington Examiner, 15 Oct. 2026
Together, the tools could help accelerate the development of more resilient electric motor systems while reducing the risks associated with critical material shortages, volatile supply chains and rapidly changing global markets.

— Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of reducing

Verb

It has been referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee and hasn’t advanced, but Cuban has kept pressing the case, recently arguing that rising healthcare costs, not AI, are the real threat to American jobs.

— Emma Witman, Fortune, 21 Oct. 2026
Now, congressional Democrats are pressing some donors for more information.

— Jamie Ross, Washington Post, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of pressing

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depresses

depressing

depression

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Style

“Depressing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/depressing. Accessed 22 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of depressing

adjective

verb

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