depress

[ dih-pres ]

verb (used with object)

1. to make sad or gloomy; lower in spirits; deject; dispirit.

   Synonyms: sadden, discourage, dishearten

2. to lower in force, vigor, activity, etc.; weaken; make dull.
3. to lower in amount or value.

   Synonyms: cheapen, devalue

4. to put into a lower position:

   to depress the muzzle of a gun.

   Antonyms: elevate, raise

5. to press down.
6. Music. to lower in pitch.

depress

/ dɪˈprɛs /

verb

1. to lower in spirits; make gloomy; deject
2. to weaken or lower the force, vigour, or energy of
3. to lower prices of (securities or a security market)
4. to press or push down
5. to lower the pitch of (a musical sound)
6. obsolete.
   to suppress or subjugate

Derived Forms

• deˈpressible, adjective

Other Words From

• de·pressi·ble adjective
• de·pressi·bili·ty noun
• over·de·press verb (used with object)
• unde·pressi·ble adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of depress¹

First recorded in 1275–1325; Middle English depressen, from Anglo-French, Old French depresser, from Latin dēpressus “pressed down” (past participle of dēprimere, equivalent to de- de- + -primere, combining form of premere “to press”); pressure

Word History and Origins

Origin of depress¹

C14: from Old French depresser, from Latin dēprimere from de- + premere to press ¹

Synonym Study

See oppress.

Example Sentences

"This was part driven by half-term falling a week later this year, depressing the October figures, and November sales will likely see more of a boost," she said.

From BBC

On the other side, Democrats were becoming increasingly depressed about their own prospects.

From BBC

“When she found out the idol was stolen, she felt more depressed than when her husband passed away.”

From BBC

“I was depressed for a long time after that.”

From BBC

In contrast, when you think you don’t have enough gas in the tank, as Gross puts it, stress morphs into a threat, leaving you “feeling overwhelmed, depressed, anxious, perhaps leading to withdrawal and isolation.”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• afflict
• beat down
• bother
• damp
• dampen
• daunt
• discourage
• dishearten
• dismay
• dispirit
• disturb
• dull
• lower
• reduce
• sadden
• sap
• slow
• trouble
• upset
• weaken