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Showing results for depressive. Search instead for Depressives.
Definitions

depressive

[dih-pres-iv] / dɪˈprɛs ɪv /
ADJECTIVE
black
Synonyms
STRONGEST
dismal gloomy
STRONG
depressing dispiriting distressing
WEAK
bleak doleful dreary funereal grim hopeless horrible lugubrious morose mournful ominous oppressive sad somber
Antonyms
WEAK
happy hopeful optimistic
ADJECTIVE
discouraging
Synonyms
STRONGEST
bleak depressing disappointing disheartening dismal dispiriting dreary gloomy
STRONG
black dampening daunting deterring dismaying dissuading hindering repressing
WEAK
disadvantageous inopportune off-putting oppressive unfavorable unpropitious
Antonyms
STRONGEST
bright cheerful encouraging happy light pleasant sunny
WEAK
auspicious favorable heartening inspiring inspiriting
ADJECTIVE
dreary
Synonyms
STRONGEST
bleak boring colorless damp depressing dingy dismal drab dull forlorn humdrum lonely monotonous sad somber tedious uneventful uninteresting windy wintry wretched
WEAK
black blah cheerless comfortless dispiriting doleful downcast funereal glum joyless lonesome melancholy mournful oppressive pedestrian raw routine sorrowful wearisome
Antonyms
STRONGEST
bright cheerful colorful encouraging eventful exciting glad happy hopeful interesting joyful light lively nice pleasant
WEAK
clear
ADJECTIVE
gloomy
Synonyms
STRONGEST
bleak discouraging disheartening dismal dreary dull funereal somber
WEAK
acheronian acherontic bad black cheerless cold comfortless desolate disconsolate dispiriting drab dusky joyless lugubrious morose oppressive saddening tenebrific
Antonyms
STRONGEST
bright cheerful clear encouraging happy joyful light lively pleasant
WEAK
animated content encouraged exhilarating sparkling sunny uplifting vivacious
ADJECTIVE
oppressive
Synonyms
STRONGEST
brutal burdensome cruel depressing dictatorial harsh heavy-handed inhuman onerous overbearing tyrannical unjust
WEAK
backbreaking bleak confining demanding despotic discouraging disheartening dismal dispiriting exacting exigent gloomy grievous grinding headache heavy hefty ironhanded mean rough going severe somber superincumbent taxing tough troublesome weighty
Antonyms
STRONGEST
easy gentle kind nice
WEAK
calm cool mild relieving temperate
ADJECTIVE
somber
Synonyms
STRONGEST
bleak dark dull earnest funereal gloomy grim melancholy mournful sedate serious sober solemn weighty
WEAK
black blue caliginous cloudy dim dingy dire dismal dispiriting doleful down drab dragged dreary dusky grave hurting joyless lugubrious murky no-nonsense obscure sepulchral shadowy shady sourpuss staid tenebrous
Antonyms
STRONGEST
bright cheerful encouraging excited flippant funny happy hopeful joyful light lively luminous sunny trivial unimportant unserious vivacious

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Roughly 15 percent of U.S. men aged 21 to 25 years reported experiencing a major depressive episode in 2024.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 12, 2026

Participants either had a clinical diagnosis of depression or were experiencing depressive symptoms but did not have other co-existing conditions.

From Science Daily • Feb. 16, 2026

The immune system may respond with inflammation, which can worsen depressive symptoms.

From Science Daily • Feb. 2, 2026

He said he also has since found solace in Reddit, where he said users shared their experiences with manic and depressive episodes.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 26, 2026

It even attracted the young, depressive Franz Kafka, soon to be a great writer, now aimlessly wandering around Europe.

From "The Mona Lisa Vanishes" by Nicholas Day

From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.