Word
depressing
Phoneticsde·press·ing, stress on the second syllable
US/dɪˈpɹɛsɪŋ/
UK/dɪpɹˈɛsɪŋ/
Definitions
01causing sadness
B1 · Intermediate
adj. making you feel very sad, unhappy, or without hope.
adj. inducing a state of low spirits, sadness, or despondency.
日本語:うっとうしい※
“The rainy weather and grey skies were very depressing after a week of sunshine.”
“The documentary offered a depressing look at the long-term effects of urban decay on the local community.”
Pitfall
I am very depressing today.
I am very depressed today.
Use 'depressing' for the thing that causes the feeling (the weather, a movie) and 'depressed' for the person feeling it.
Antonyms
02economic reduction
C1 · Advanced Academic · Formal
adj. causing a decrease in business activity or making prices go down.
adj. tending to reduce economic activity, lower prices, or decrease market value.
“High interest rates can have a depressing effect on the housing market.”
“Economists warned that the new trade tariffs would have a depressing influence on consumer spending throughout the next fiscal quarter.”
Synonyms
Antonyms
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “depressing” in context.
Verb
01. become depressing
“The conversation became depressing as they started talking about their failed businesses.”
verb + adj
02. find the news depressing
“Many people find the news depressing and have started to avoid watching it.”
verb + noun + adj
Adjective
03. depressing sight
“The abandoned factory was a depressing sight for the former workers.”
adj + noun
04. depressing thought
“It is a depressing thought that we might never be able to afford our own home.”
adj + noun
05. depressing to note
“It is depressing to note that poverty levels have increased over the last decade.”
adj + infinitive
Adverb
06. deeply depressing
“The documentary about the destruction of the rainforest was deeply depressing.”
adv + adj
07. rather depressing
“The weather forecast for our holiday looks rather depressing, with rain every day.”
adv + adj
08. utterly depressing
“It is utterly depressing to see so many shops closing down in the city center.”
adv + adj
Real-World Examples
“I found watching it depressing, because the mirror it holds up is not a flattering one.” “Channel 4’s one-off documentary arrives with depressing timeliness, then, telling a story that serves as a synecdoche for events playing out across the UK, at large.” - Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper IntermediateOxford
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/depressing
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「日本語」 data: JMdict (EDRDG), CC BY-SA 4.0