Synonyms for

Depressing

Adjective / dɪˈpresɪŋ / Another word for depressing — explore alternatives below. For syllable breakdowns and pronunciation, see this word on Syllablesworld.

Definition

making someone feel very unhappy and without hope

Synonyms & similar words

demoralise cheerful depress cheerless dispirit demoralize dismay uncheerful elate deject lower saddening disheartening demoralizing dismaying discouraging upsetting dispiriting oppressive gloomy bleak dreary miserable unhappy desolate melancholy sad funereal somber lugubrious doom-laden

Synonyms by register

Formal

disheartening somber melancholy gloomy

Informal

bummer downer sad bleak

Literary

lugubrious despondent forlorn

Antonyms

uplifting cheerful encouraging happy joyful hopeful bright

Common collocations

  • deeply depressing
  • utterly depressing
  • depressing news
  • depressing reality
  • depressing situation
  • depressing thought
  • depressing weather

Word family

noun depression
verb depress
adjective depressing
adverb depressingly

Usage note

While 'depressing' can describe a situation or event, it's also used to describe a mental health condition. Be mindful of the context to avoid confusion.

Compare "depressing" with another word →

Example sentences

  1. The news of the earthquake was depressing.
  2. The gray skies were depressing.
  3. Being stuck inside all day is depressing.
  4. She felt depressed after losing her job.
  5. The movie was too depressing for me to finish.

Quotes

  • I find nothing more depressing than optimism.
  • Comedy is tragedy plus time.
  • The saddest thing about love, Joe, is that not only the love cannot last forever, but even the heartbreak is soon forgotten.

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