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
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
High-quality psychotherapy has been shown to be as effective as and longer-lasting than antidepressant medication when treating depression.
—Jay Kayser, The Conversation, 15 Mar. 2023
Some studies suggest that CBD may have antidepressant effects by regulating serotonin levels in the brain.
—Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 26 June 2023
Post-stroke depression is also a common aftereffect, with 1 in 3 stroke patients experiencing it, and is treatable through antidepressant medication and counseling, doctors say.
—Marc Levy, Chicago Tribune, 23 Mar. 2023
Berkeley Lovelace Jr., NBC News, 7 Nov. 2023
The history of antidepressants Most antidepressants aim for the same target: the monoamine system.
—Sonya Collins, Fortune Well, 4 Nov. 2023
Global anxiety and depression rates ballooned 25% in 2020, with one in eight U.S. adults now taking antidepressants.
—Trey Williams, Fortune, 9 Oct. 2023
According to a 2017 study published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal, about 20% of patients develop antidepressant discontinuation syndrome after stopping the use of antidepressants taken continuously for a month or more.
—Staff Author, Peoplemag, 2 Oct. 2023
Furthermore, some of these antidepressants are not FDA-approved or indicated for the treatment of insomnia.
—Dominique Fluker, Essence, 27 Sep. 2023
The Hims website, for example, promotes off-label use of the antidepressant Zoloft (sertraline) for premature ejaculation.
—Jon Brodkin, Ars Technica, 2 Nov. 2023
Lauren has been on antidepressants since soon after Delta’s diagnosis.
—Adithi Ramakrishnan, Dallas News, 12 Sep. 2023
Many described years of therapy, medical visits and antidepressants but little progress.
—Mike Baker, New York Times, 23 Oct. 2023
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Adjective
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
High-quality psychotherapy has been shown to be as effective as and longer-lasting than antidepressant medication when treating depression.
—Jay Kayser, The Conversation, 15 Mar. 2023
Some studies suggest that CBD may have antidepressant effects by regulating serotonin levels in the brain.
—Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 26 June 2023
Post-stroke depression is also a common aftereffect, with 1 in 3 stroke patients experiencing it, and is treatable through antidepressant medication and counseling, doctors say.
—Marc Levy, Chicago Tribune, 23 Mar. 2023
Noun
Naltrexone is commonly prescribed to treat opioid and alcohol use disorders, while bupropion is an antidepressant known for reducing cravings for cigarettes.
—Berkeley Lovelace Jr., NBC News, 7 Nov. 2023
The history of antidepressants Most antidepressants aim for the same target: the monoamine system.
—Sonya Collins, Fortune Well, 4 Nov. 2023
Global anxiety and depression rates ballooned 25% in 2020, with one in eight U.S. adults now taking antidepressants.
—Trey Williams, Fortune, 9 Oct. 2023
According to a 2017 study published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal, about 20% of patients develop antidepressant discontinuation syndrome after stopping the use of antidepressants taken continuously for a month or more.
—Staff Author, Peoplemag, 2 Oct. 2023
Furthermore, some of these antidepressants are not FDA-approved or indicated for the treatment of insomnia.
—Dominique Fluker, Essence, 27 Sep. 2023
The Hims website, for example, promotes off-label use of the antidepressant Zoloft (sertraline) for premature ejaculation.
—Jon Brodkin, Ars Technica, 2 Nov. 2023
Lauren has been on antidepressants since soon after Delta’s diagnosis.
—Adithi Ramakrishnan, Dallas News, 12 Sep. 2023
Many described years of therapy, medical visits and antidepressants but little progress.
—Mike Baker, New York Times, 23 Oct. 2023
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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.
Word History
Phrases Containing antidepressant
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Cite this Entry
“Antidepressant.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/antidepressant. Accessed 30 Nov. 2023.
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Medical 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 antidepressant
More from Merriam-Webster on antidepressant
Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for antidepressant
Nglish: Translation of antidepressant for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of antidepressant for Arabic Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about antidepressant
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