What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
depressing
Example
The news of the pandemic was depressing. [depressing: adjective]
Example
She felt depressed after losing her job. [depressed: verb]
dismal
Example
The weather forecast for the weekend looks dismal. [dismal: adjective]
Example
The abandoned house had a dismal feel to it. [dismal: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Depressing is more commonly used in everyday language than dismal. Depressing is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while dismal is less common and more formal.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between depressing and dismal?
Dismal is more formal than depressing. It is often used in written or academic contexts, while depressing is more casual and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
