depressing

adjective

de·​press·​ing di-ˈpre-siŋ How to pronounce depressing (audio)
dē-
Synonyms of depressingnext
: that depresses
especially : causing emotional depression
a depressing story
depressingly adverb

Examples of depressing in a Sentence

This rainy weather is depressing. He paints a depressing picture of modern life.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
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 Such widespread outsourcing of thought and memory is deeply depressing to many educators. Nate Anderson, ArsTechnica, 13 May 2026 And then there is Gomes, one of very few Wolves players to have retained the affections of supporters during a depressing decline for the club. Steve Madeley, New York Times, 12 May 2026 Because what could be more depressing than just passively watching the world burn and melt and crumble? Literary Hub, 6 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for depressing

Word History

First Known Use

1556, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of depressing was in 1556

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Cite this Entry

“Depressing.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/depressing. Accessed 21 May. 2026.

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