adjective
depressing
Causing sadness or discouragement.
The depressing news makes it hard to stay hopeful.
Etymology
Latin de- and premere express pressing down. Something depressing figuratively presses the spirits downward, causing sadness or weakening the confidence needed to continue.
More examples
- Weeks of gray skies can be depressing.
- She finds the empty playground depressing.
- The report paints a depressing picture of local job losses.
Forms
depressing
depress verb — To make someone feel sad or discouraged.
depressingly adverb — In a way that causes sadness.
Similar words
- disheartening
- Emphasizes losing hope or confidence rather than feeling sad.
- gloomy
- Describes a cheerless mood or atmosphere, not necessarily its effect.