an·ti·de·pres·sant
ˌan-tē-di-ˈpre-sᵊnt 
ˌan-ˌtī-
ˌan-ˌtī-
: used or tending to relieve or prevent depression
antidepressant drugs
: an antidepressant drug see ssri, tricyclic antidepressant
Examples of antidepressant in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Mira Cheng, CNN, 2 Apr. 2024
The authors suggested that the antidepressant effects may result from decreased inflammation.
—Jessica Migala, Health, 20 Nov. 2023
Related: Scientists still don’t know what gives ketamine its antidepressant effect.
—Emily Maloney, STAT, 7 Sep. 2023
These findings align with a paper about the antidepressant effect of running in the Journal of Neuropsychopharmacology.
—Kelly Santana Banks, Discover Magazine, 7 Mar. 2023
It was originally studied for its anxiolytic and antidepressant effects in humans, but it has since been used for a variety of purposes, including:
Decreasing social anxiety and potentially improving socialization skills [1].
—The Salt Lake Tribune, 15 Aug. 2023
Currently, many people continue to experience symptoms for months after starting existing antidepressant therapies that rely on the brain chemicals serotonin, noradrenalin, or dopamine.
—Alice Park, Time, 5 Aug. 2023
In many cases, CBD may have antidepressant effects that can ease anxiety and promote a more positive mood, which can help improve your overall health and wellness.
—Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 16 Dec. 2022
Researchers agree that emotional blunting is associated with antidepressant use, and many clinicians have come to see it as a normal part of the treatment process.
—Emilie Le Beau Lucchesi, Discover Magazine, 16 Jan. 2023
Sponsored Content, The Mercury News, 12 Apr. 2024
Aponte was found unconscious — but alive — after overdosing on a cocktail of prescribed medications, including antidepressants, pain killers and allergy pills.
—Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 3 Apr. 2024
Most people notice the impacts of an antidepressant—good and bad—after about four weeks, Dr. Lenze says.
—Kayla Blanton, SELF, 19 Mar. 2024
Since 2012, the use of antidepressants has risen, with a sharp increase for young people after the onset of the pandemic, in part because of stress and isolation.
—Rebecca Mead, The New Yorker, 4 Mar. 2024
When relationships end later in life, women’s antidepressant use tends to be higher than men’s, a new Finnish study found.
—Bailey Richards, Peoplemag, 13 Feb. 2024
How exercise compares to antidepressants Arguably the most interesting finding, though, is that the effect of exercise on depressed people appeared superior to antidepressants.
—Jordyn Bradley, Fortune Well, 15 Feb. 2024
Painkillers like ibuprofen, muscle relaxers, and antidepressants typically carry few side effects but are often not potent enough to relieve moderate to severe pain.
—Claire Bugos, Verywell Health, 2 Feb. 2024
Always talk to a healthcare provider before changing or stopping antidepressants.
—Health Editorial Team, Health, 23 Mar. 2024
Adjective
Preliminary research shows that these exercises may stimulate the amygdala and the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex – regions of the brain that are thought to be involved in depression – and have antidepressant effects.
—Mira Cheng, CNN, 2 Apr. 2024
The authors suggested that the antidepressant effects may result from decreased inflammation.
—Jessica Migala, Health, 20 Nov. 2023
Related: Scientists still don’t know what gives ketamine its antidepressant effect.
—Emily Maloney, STAT, 7 Sep. 2023
These findings align with a paper about the antidepressant effect of running in the Journal of Neuropsychopharmacology.
—Kelly Santana Banks, Discover Magazine, 7 Mar. 2023
It was originally studied for its anxiolytic and antidepressant effects in humans, but it has since been used for a variety of purposes, including:
Decreasing social anxiety and potentially improving socialization skills [1].
—The Salt Lake Tribune, 15 Aug. 2023
Currently, many people continue to experience symptoms for months after starting existing antidepressant therapies that rely on the brain chemicals serotonin, noradrenalin, or dopamine.
—Alice Park, Time, 5 Aug. 2023
In many cases, CBD may have antidepressant effects that can ease anxiety and promote a more positive mood, which can help improve your overall health and wellness.
—Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 16 Dec. 2022
Researchers agree that emotional blunting is associated with antidepressant use, and many clinicians have come to see it as a normal part of the treatment process.
—Emilie Le Beau Lucchesi, Discover Magazine, 16 Jan. 2023
Noun
Non-Stimulant Medications Non-stimulants are typically antidepressants such as selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs).
—Sponsored Content, The Mercury News, 12 Apr. 2024
Aponte was found unconscious — but alive — after overdosing on a cocktail of prescribed medications, including antidepressants, pain killers and allergy pills.
—Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 3 Apr. 2024
Most people notice the impacts of an antidepressant—good and bad—after about four weeks, Dr. Lenze says.
—Kayla Blanton, SELF, 19 Mar. 2024
Since 2012, the use of antidepressants has risen, with a sharp increase for young people after the onset of the pandemic, in part because of stress and isolation.
—Rebecca Mead, The New Yorker, 4 Mar. 2024
When relationships end later in life, women’s antidepressant use tends to be higher than men’s, a new Finnish study found.
—Bailey Richards, Peoplemag, 13 Feb. 2024
How exercise compares to antidepressants Arguably the most interesting finding, though, is that the effect of exercise on depressed people appeared superior to antidepressants.
—Jordyn Bradley, Fortune Well, 15 Feb. 2024
Painkillers like ibuprofen, muscle relaxers, and antidepressants typically carry few side effects but are often not potent enough to relieve moderate to severe pain.
—Claire Bugos, Verywell Health, 2 Feb. 2024
Always talk to a healthcare provider before changing or stopping antidepressants.
—Health Editorial Team, Health, 23 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'antidepressant.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near antidepressant
Cite this Entry
“Antidepressant.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/antidepressant. Accessed 24 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
antidepressant
1 of 2 adjective
an·ti·de·pres·sant
ˌant-i-di-ˈpres-ᵊnt, ˌan-ˌtī-
variants
also antidepressive
: used or tending to relieve or prevent psychological depression : relating to, being, or utilizing an antidepressant
an antidepressant drug
antidepressant treatment
antidepressant
2 of 2 noun
variants
also antidepressive
: a drug used to treat psychological depression : an antidepressant drug
The dual-action antidepressant venlafaxine appears to demonstrate superior efficacy and higher rates of remission in severe depression as compared with either SSRIs such as fluoxetine or tricyclic antidepressants.—John Mann, The New England Journal of Medicine
John Mann, The New England Journal of Medicinecalled also energizer, psychic energizer, psychostimulant
see tricyclic antidepressantLove words? Need even more definitions?
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