depressing

American  

[dih-pres-ing] / dɪˈprɛs ɪŋ /

adjective

1. serving to depress; inducing a state of depression.

   depressing news.

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depressing British  

/ dɪˈprɛsɪŋ /

adjective

1. causing a feeling of dejection or low spirits

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Other Word Forms

• depressingly adverb
• nondepressing adjective
• nondepressingly adverb
• undepressing adjective

Etymology

Origin of depressing

First recorded in 1780–90; depress + -ing ²

Example Sentences

Common throughout the show is the juxtaposition of art that holds out optimistic visions of technology’s possibilities with works that put forward more depressing perspectives about the harms it can entail.

From The Wall Street Journal

He sounded so earnest, I couldn’t tell him I’d found the picture depressing and melodramatic.

From Literature

A temporary plant closure leaves U.S. ranchers with one less buyer for their cattle, depressing livestock prices.

From The Wall Street Journal

True, but the glumness of said world is central to Hoover’s zeitgeisty appeal — a point she underlines a few beats later, Kenna insisting that the radio only ever plays depressing songs.

From Los Angeles Times

Seibert, who learned to code at age 12, said he’s found the transition depressing at times because a skill he’s spent his life perfecting is “just gone. It’s not needed anymore.”

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• bleak
• daunting
• disheartening
• dismal
• dispiriting
• distressing
• dreary
• gloomy
• heartbreaking
• sad