de·pres·sive
di-ˈpre-siv 
dē-
1
: tending to depress
2
: of, relating to, marked by, or affected by psychological depression
depressive symptoms
a depressive patient
depressively
adverb
: one who is affected with or prone to psychological depression
Examples of depressive in a Sentence
Adjective
the depressive story about a struggling artist
Recent Examples on the Web
Lex Harvey, CNN Money, 5 June 2025
Additionally, those with restrictive calorie diets reported higher numbers of depressive symptoms, including low mood, low energy and sleep disturbances.
—Charna Flam, People.com, 5 June 2025
Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 31 Mar. 2025
Also, single high-dose LSD treatment very likely works in patients with depressive or anxiety disorders.
—New Atlas, 3 Apr. 2025
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Adjective
Men with moderate or severe depressive symptoms were 62% times more likely to use intimate partner violence by 2022 compared to those who had not had these symptoms, while men with suicidal thoughts, plans or attempts were 47% times as likely, the study found.
—Lex Harvey, CNN Money, 5 June 2025
Additionally, those with restrictive calorie diets reported higher numbers of depressive symptoms, including low mood, low energy and sleep disturbances.
—Charna Flam, People.com, 5 June 2025
Noun
Like any self-respecting depressive who’s unready to address her self-sabotaging, Laurie bails on their impromptu intervention before entrées.
—Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 31 Mar. 2025
Also, single high-dose LSD treatment very likely works in patients with depressive or anxiety disorders.
—New Atlas, 3 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for depressive
Cite this Entry
“Depressive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/depressive. Accessed 11 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
depressive
1 of 2 adjective
de·pres·sive
di-ˈpres-iv
1
: tending to depress
2
: of, relating to, marked by, or affected by psychological depression
the patient was paranoid and depressive
depressive symptoms
depressive
2 of 2 noun
: one who is affected with or prone to psychological depression
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