depressant

noun

de·​pres·​sant di-ˈpre-sᵊnt 

dē-

: one that depresses

specifically : an agent that reduces a bodily functional activity or an instinctive desire (such as appetite)

depressant adjective

Examples of depressant in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

An autopsy revealed Manzano died lying face down on a pillow, unable to breathe after ingesting a combination of alcohol and the depressant Xanax. — CBS News, 18 Sep. 2026

An autopsy revealed that Manzano died lying face down on a pillow, unable to breathe after ingesting a combination of alcohol and the depressant Xanax. — Jack Brook, ABC News, 17 Sep. 2026

The City Council instructed the city attorney to regulate phenibut, a drug that’s available at gas stations and being abused as a nervous system depressant. — Sandra McDonald, Los Angeles Times, 29 Aug. 2026

These drinks nudge the same inhibitory neurotransmitter pathways alcohol acts on but without the depressant effects or the regret the next morning. — Jesse Pines, Forbes.com, 4 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1824, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for depressant

• fluorescent
• incessant
• putrescent
• quiescent
• senescent
• suppressant
• acquiescent
• adolescent
• arborescent
• coalescent
• convalescent
• deliquescent

Kids Definition

depressant

noun

de·​pres·​sant di-ˈpres-ᵊnt 

: a substance (as a drug) that reduces the activity of bodily systems

depressant adjective

Medical Definition

depressant

1 of 2 adjective

de·​pres·​sant -ᵊnt 

: tending to depress

especially : lowering or tending to lower functional or vital activity

a drug with a depressant effect on heart rate

depressant

2 of 2 noun

: one that depresses

specifically : an agent that reduces bodily functional activity or an instinctive desire (as appetite)

a depressant of intestinal spasm