as in bleak
causing or marked by an atmosphere lacking in cheer
the depressive story about a struggling artist
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of depressive
Studies have shown that giving ketamine without psychological support can reduce depressive symptoms and suicidality within hours.
—
O. Rose Broderick, STAT, 1 Apr. 2026
Studies show that adults with anxiety and untreated ADHD suffer greater functional impairment and more frequent relapses, meaning their severe anxiety or depressive episodes keep returning despite therapy or medication.
—Deldhy Nicolás Moya Sánchez, The Conversation, 16 Mar. 2026
Research suggests changes in brain chemistry involving neurotransmitters such as serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine can cause depressive symptoms, says Noorlander.
—Daryl Austin, USA Today, 14 Mar. 2026
Alcohol can make depressive symptoms even worse.
—Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, FOXNews.com, 8 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for depressive
O. Rose Broderick, STAT, 1 Apr. 2026
Studies show that adults with anxiety and untreated ADHD suffer greater functional impairment and more frequent relapses, meaning their severe anxiety or depressive episodes keep returning despite therapy or medication.
—Deldhy Nicolás Moya Sánchez, The Conversation, 16 Mar. 2026
Research suggests changes in brain chemistry involving neurotransmitters such as serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine can cause depressive symptoms, says Noorlander.
—Daryl Austin, USA Today, 14 Mar. 2026
Alcohol can make depressive symptoms even worse.
—Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, FOXNews.com, 8 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for depressive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for depressive
Adjective
-
At first glance, AI companions for lonely seniors can seem dystopian, looking less like innovation than a bleak sign of social failure.—
Catherine Thorbecke,
Twin Cities,
25 Apr. 2026
-
Things are impossibly bleak for the Rockets, which were without Kevin Durant for the second game this series.—
Dan Santaromita,
New York Times,
25 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Floyd’s sincerity, the startling extremity of his concern for the comfort of others, snaps Clark out of his depressed, and depressing, complacency.—
Alexandra Schwartz,
New Yorker,
24 Apr. 2026
-
That’s already a depressing number.—
Shawn Tully,
Fortune,
23 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
If your friend is lonely or struggling to establish her identity without her sister living in the house, time with friends and time intentionally getting to know herself will be more productive.—
R. Eric Thomas,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Apr. 2026
-
The couple didn’t want Polly to be lonely.—
Eric Adler
April 26,
Kansas City Star,
26 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The festivities have even spread to other countries, but the day remains a somber affair in Mexico.—
Jay R. Brooks,
Mercury News,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Despite his somber introduction, this version of Creasy doesn’t earn the character’s darker choices.—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
30 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
But what exactly happens to these baby stars next isn't always clear (literally) because they are buried deep within clouds of dark, dusty gas that obscure them.—
Keith Cooper,
Space.com,
28 Apr. 2026
-
All the bedrooms can be found upstairs, including one that’s currently being used as an office and a primary suite flaunting dual dressing rooms and baths, plus a sauna clad in dark gray stone.—
Wendy Bowman,
Robb Report,
28 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Introducing the setting with a majestic crane shot (particularly immersive in 3D), his camera soars above the cave and surveys the desolate landscape.—
Eric Kohn,
IndieWire,
24 Apr. 2026
-
For myself, having a Wrangler is the perfect vehicle to just drive these desolate roads.—
Morgan Korn,
ABC News,
17 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The cult’s deity, a skeleton shrouded in a hooded robe, resembles a morbid inversion of the Virgin Mary, often blessed with tequila and marijuana smoke.—
Chris Wiley,
New Yorker,
28 Apr. 2026
-
And muerto nods to their culture, where death is not a morbid subject.—
Louisa Kung Liu Chu,
Chicago Tribune,
28 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Inspired by the most recent decade of killings of unarmed Black men by police, the seven prints selected from Henry’s series draw upon the sculptural pathos and solemn formalities of Michelangelo’s Pietà di San Pietro.—
Horace D. Ballard,
Artforum,
22 Apr. 2026
-
While it’s meant to be a solemn moment, was that uncomfortable for you as a comedian?—
Stuart Miller,
Los Angeles Times,
22 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Depressive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/depressive. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
