depressing
/di'presiɳ/
Definition
- Adjective:
- Causing feelings of sadness, gloom, or low spirits: Something described as "depressing" has the effect of making people feel unhappy, disheartened, or without hope.
- Dismal, bleak, or discouraging: It can describe situations, environments, or information that create a sense of pessimism or emotional heaviness.
Usage and Examples
As an adjective modifying a noun:
- The constant rain made for a depressing weekend.
- She shared some depressing news about the company's future.
- The documentary about climate change was very depressing.
Used after linking verbs like 'be', 'seem', 'feel':
- The abandoned house looked depressing.
- It feels depressing to be stuck inside all day.
Advanced Usage and Nuances
- "depressing" vs. "depressed": "Depressing" describes something that sadness. "Depressed" describes a person or entity sadness or economic downturn (e.g., a person, a market).
- Impersonal use: Often used to describe abstract concepts, atmospheres, or events rather than people.
- The depressing state of politics discourages many voters.
- Degree modifiers: Can be intensified with adverbs like "deeply," "profoundly," "incredibly," or "rather."
- The movie's ending was profoundly depressing.
Variants and Related Words
- Depress (verb): To make someone feel disheartened or to push something down.
- The bad review depressed her spirits.
- Depressingly (adverb): In a manner that causes depression.
- The costs were depressingly high.
- Depression (noun): A state of severe despondency and dejection, or a period of economic decline.
- He suffered from clinical depression.
Synonyms
- Dismal: Causing a mood of gloom or depression.
- Gloomy: Dark or poorly lit, causing a feeling of sadness.
- Bleak: Lacking in warmth, life, or kindliness; depressing.
- Dreary: Dull, bleak, and lifeless; depressing.
- Dispiriting: Causing someone to lose enthusiasm or hope.
Antonyms
- Cheerful: Noticeably happy and optimistic.
- Uplifting: Morally or spiritually elevating; inspiring happiness or hope.
- Encouraging: Giving someone support, confidence, or hope.
- Heartening: Making someone feel cheerful or encouraged.
Common Collocations and Phrases
- Depressing thought: An idea that causes sadness.
- It's a depressing thought that we might not solve this problem.
- Depressing sight/view: Something seen that induces gloom.
- The aftermath of the storm was a depressing sight.
- Find something depressing: To experience something as causing sadness.
- I find rainy Mondays very depressing.
Adjective
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causing sad feelings of gloom and inadequacy
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the economic outlook is depressing
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something cheerless about the room
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a moody and uncheerful person
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an uncheerful place
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