depressing

depressing — adjective

1. used about events, news, or experiences that fill you with sadness and make you

1.adjectiveB2
Definition

used about events, news, or experiences that fill you with sadness and make you lose faith that things will improve

Example

The news about the factory closing was deeply depressing for everyone in the town.

collocation: deeply depressing

Ravi found it depressing to watch the abandoned library fall into ruin.

find + something + depressing

Common collocations
  • deeply depressing
  • utterly depressing
  • depressing news
  • depressing atmosphere
  • depressing thought
  • depressing experience
Synonyms
  • gloomy

    suggests a dark, shadowy quality; often used for weather or atmosphere

  • bleak

    stresses a harsh, cold, unwelcoming outlook with little hope

  • disheartening

    slightly weaker; makes you lose confidence or courage rather than deep sadness

  • somber

    more formal; serious and grave in tone, often about sad occasions

Antonyms
  • uplifting

    makes you feel happier and more hopeful

  • encouraging

    gives you hope, confidence, or motivation

Grammar Patterns

it + be + depressing + to-infinitive

it + be + depressing + that-clause

find + something + depressing

Usage Note

Unlike 'depressed,' this adjective describes the situation or event that causes sadness, not the person who feels sad. Common patterns include 'it is depressing to…' and 'find something depressing.'

Common Mistakes

The exam results were very depressing for me, so I felt really depressing.
The exam results were very depressing for me, so I felt really depressed.
'depressing' describes what causes the feeling; 'depressed' describes how you feel yourself.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: adjective/1

All four words describe situations that make you feel sad, but they differ in intensity and context. 'Depressing' is the most general and common; it describes anything that drains hope and energy. 'Gloomy' often refers to weather, light, or atmosphere that feels dark and shadowy ('a gloomy winter morning'). 'Bleak' is stronger and suggests a harsh, cold reality with no comfort ('a bleak economic forecast'). 'Disheartening' is milder and focuses on losing courage or confidence rather than deep sadness ('a disheartening rejection letter'). 'Somber' is more formal and describes a serious, reflective sadness, often at formal occasions ('a somber funeral service'). With 'depressing' you feel your spirit is weighed down; with 'gloomy' the world around you looks dark; with 'bleak' there is no comfort in sight; with 'disheartening' you lose the will to try again; with 'somber' you are respectfully quiet and serious.

gloomy ↗bleak ↗dishearteningsomber

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Prepositions

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

From Latin 'depressus' (pressed down), combining 'de-' (down) and 'premere' (to press). The sense of mental or emotional lowering emerged in the 1600s, and 'depressing' as an adjective meaning 'causing low spirits' appeared around the late 1700s.