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Unpacking gloom: "depressing" vs. "demoralizing"
Lloyd Cooper 13/10/2024, 06:40
What is similar?
Both "depressing" and "demoralizing" describe situations or experiences that negatively impact a person's emotional state. They convey a sense of discouragement and sadness and often result in a loss of motivation or hope.
What is different?
While "depressing" generally refers to causing a feeling of sadness or gloom, "demoralizing" specifically implies a loss of confidence, spirit, or morale. A situation can be depressing in a broader emotional sense, whereas demoralizing specifically targets one's motivation or resolve.
Which one is more common?
Examples of usage
Depressing- The rainy weather all week has been really depressing.
- Reading the news lately can be quite depressing.
- The movie was well-made but utterly depressing.
- The team's constant losses were demoralizing for the players.
- Criticism from peers can be demoralizing when trying to innovate.
- The lack of progress after so much effort was demoralizing.
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