antidepressant

American  

[an-tee-di-pres-uhnt, an-tahy-] / ˌæn ti dɪˈprɛs ənt, ˌæn taɪ- /

Also anti-depressant,

adjective

1. of or relating to a substance that is used in the treatment of mood disorders, as characterized by various manic or depressive affects.

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noun

1. Also called energizer, psychic energizer.  any such substance, as a tricyclic antidepressant, MAO inhibitor, or lithium.

antidepressant British  

/ ˌæntɪdɪˈprɛsənt /

noun

1. any of a class of drugs used to alleviate depression

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adjective

1. of or relating to this class of drugs

antidepressant Scientific  

/ ăn′tē-dĭ-prĕs′ənt,ăn′tī- /

1. A drug used to prevent or treat depression.

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Etymology

Origin of antidepressant

First recorded in 1960–65; anti- + depressant

Example Sentences

Quetiapine is a prescription antipsychotic medication and mirtazapine is a prescription antidepressant.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 20, 2026

He points to one study showing that hot-yoga classes can curtail depression more effectively than antidepressant drugs.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 16, 2026

If ketamine’s antidepressant effect owed to, say, inducing neuroplasticity, the drug should still work even if participants were unconscious.

From Slate • Jan. 30, 2026

Nearly one-third of patients do not improve after trying their first antidepressant, often leading to months of trial and error.

From Science Daily • Jan. 4, 2026

In the room, Nathan noticed a pamphlet selling antidepressant medication.

From "Healer of the Water Monster" by Brian Young