antidepressant

1 of 2

adjective

an·​ti·​de·​pres·​sant ˌan-tē-di-ˈpre-sᵊnt How to pronounce antidepressant (audio) ˌan-ˌtī- How to pronounce antidepressant (audio)
Synonyms of antidepressantnext
: used or tending to relieve or prevent depression
antidepressant drugs

antidepressant

2 of 2

noun

Examples of antidepressant in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Adjective
But there was never an offer of pain medication; only antidepressant after antidepressant, despite no diagnosis of depression. Literary Hub, 10 Feb. 2026 Investigators found medications, including an antidepressant and antihistamine drugs, in Monique’s system at the time of her death. Sarah Rumpf-Whitten , Adam Sabes, FOXNews.com, 3 Feb. 2026
Noun
While many of the common treatments for menopause can help with mood changes, your provider may also recommend other types of treatment such as antidepressants. Jocelyn Solis-Moreira, Flow Space, 13 Feb. 2026 The same is true for Pristiq, an antidepressant. Nicholas Florko, The Atlantic, 6 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for antidepressant

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1961, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1962, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of antidepressant was in 1961

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Cite this Entry

“Antidepressant.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/antidepressant. Accessed 18 Feb. 2026.

Medical Definition

antidepressant

1 of 2 adjective
an·​ti·​de·​pres·​sant ˌant-i-di-ˈpres-ᵊnt, ˌan-ˌtī- How to pronounce antidepressant (audio)
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

called also energizer, psychic energizer, psychostimulant

see tricyclic antidepressant
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