1
as in to oppress
to make sad
the thought of once again failing the bar exam depressed me
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to throw
to cause to fall intentionally or unintentionally
construction workers depressed the roadbed in order to make way for an overpass
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to reduce
to diminish the price or value of
the glut of wheat on the market has depressed that commodity for most of the past year
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in to press
to push steadily against with some force
depressed the lever to start the machine
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of depress
Instead what followed was the slow disintegration of a championship core, an inability to reclimb the mountain and the slow, depressing slide into lamenting what could have been.
—
Kyle Feldscher, CNN Money, 6 Feb. 2026
In overwhelmingly Democratic districts, the outcome is almost always predetermined, further depressing turnout and weakening accountability.
—Grace Rauh, New York Daily News, 3 Feb. 2026
One 2025 study published in BMC Geriatrics found that older adults who lived somewhere with better indoor air ventilation were less likely to be depressed compared to older adults with less indoor air ventilation.
—Jamie Friedlander Serrano, Time, 27 Jan. 2026
More than 140 million Americans were under winter storm warnings, depressing moviegoing.
—Jake Coyle, Chicago Tribune, 25 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for depress
Kyle Feldscher, CNN Money, 6 Feb. 2026
In overwhelmingly Democratic districts, the outcome is almost always predetermined, further depressing turnout and weakening accountability.
—Grace Rauh, New York Daily News, 3 Feb. 2026
One 2025 study published in BMC Geriatrics found that older adults who lived somewhere with better indoor air ventilation were less likely to be depressed compared to older adults with less indoor air ventilation.
—Jamie Friedlander Serrano, Time, 27 Jan. 2026
More than 140 million Americans were under winter storm warnings, depressing moviegoing.
—Jake Coyle, Chicago Tribune, 25 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for depress
Recent Examples of Synonyms for depress
Verb
-
She was oppressed by his big shadow.—
Marta Balaga,
Variety,
16 Feb. 2026
-
With many people around the world fighting for their freedom, Dallas’ historical cemetery stands as an example of how a group of people who were historically oppressed and enslaved could become free and prosperous.—
Dallas Morning News,
Dallas Morning News,
31 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The swirling, whirling mass approaches like a steam train, picking up thousands of tons of matter on its descent, throwing clouds of snow into the air as its gathers speeds of up to 130 kph (80 mph).—
Issy Ronald,
CNN Money,
22 Feb. 2026
-
With just 12 seconds remaining, Oregon threw the ball into its star big man, Nate Bittle, down low.—
Ryan Kartje,
Los Angeles Times,
22 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Upon his arrival, Thaksin was sentenced to eight years in prison on earlier corruption convictions, a term swiftly reduced to one year following a royal pardon.—
Helen Regan,
CNN Money,
17 Feb. 2026
-
Cutting convoy risk Army planners see cargo drones as a way to reduce dependence on traditional resupply convoys.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
17 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Instead, Trump continues to press Zelensky into negotiations that look increasingly stacked against Ukraine.—
Ivana Kottasová,
CNN Money,
20 Feb. 2026
-
Rather than pouring resources into speculative frontier models, Beijing has a pressing incentive to use the technology as a more immediate productivity engine.—
IEEE Spectrum,
IEEE Spectrum,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Jessica Capshaw, whose played Arizona Robbins on the show, also said she was saddened by Dane's death.—
Anthony Robledo,
USA Today,
21 Feb. 2026
-
His sister, Saraswathi Vedam, told the AP in October that she was saddened by the latest delay, but said her brother remains patient.—
Elizabeth Wolfe,
CNN Money,
17 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Rai led by one stroke when play was suspended Thursday but bogeyed 18 early Friday to drop into a tie and shot a second-round 70, leaving him tied for 12th with South African Aldrich Potgeiter, Ryan Fox and 2021 Genesis champion Max Homa at the halfway point.—
Steve Galluzzo,
Los Angeles Times,
21 Feb. 2026
-
This jaw-dropping arts center also hosts plays, dance performances, classical concerts, and contemporary music gigs by major names such as Bob Dylan, Patti Smith, Björk, New Order, Paul Weller, and Lorde.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
21 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Photos show a white sedan lodged through the wall, tearing into the kitchen and leaving cabinets with the microwave attached knocked loose off the wall and the oven shoved out of place.—
Nicole Buss,
Sacbee.com,
14 Feb. 2026
-
Officers often shove protesters out of the way, sometimes knocking them to the ground.—
Natasha Korecki,
NBC news,
14 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
What before was a straightforward process almost entirely paid for by insurance or public dollars is likely to become burdened by more paperwork, higher out-of-pocket costs, and fewer choices.—
Sophia Newcomer,
Time,
20 Feb. 2026
-
Because there is a balance to be struck between preventing fraud, such as voter impersonation (as uncommon as that may be), and burdening eligible voters with undue restrictions that can ultimately discourage them from voting.—
Peter Jensen,
Baltimore Sun,
16 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Depress.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/depress. Accessed 22 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
