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
Angie Dimichele, Sun Sentinel, 6 Mar. 2026
Adam Urato, a maternal-fetal medicine specialist and critic of antidepressant safety, is pressing the FDA to add a boxed warning to SSRIs, the drugs most commonly prescribed for depression.
—Ed Silverman, STAT, 5 Mar. 2026
Sarah Oreck, SELF, 2 Mar. 2026
For example, according to a 2022 study on antidepressants, advertising encouraged more people to start treatment and expanded overall use, especially for underdiagnosed conditions.
—Anna Chorniy, The Conversation, 27 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for antidepressant
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Adjective
Toxicology tests showed positive for cocaine and some prescription antidepressant medications.
—Angie Dimichele, Sun Sentinel, 6 Mar. 2026
Adam Urato, a maternal-fetal medicine specialist and critic of antidepressant safety, is pressing the FDA to add a boxed warning to SSRIs, the drugs most commonly prescribed for depression.
—Ed Silverman, STAT, 5 Mar. 2026
Noun
Studies show women with ADHD are significantly more likely to receive an antidepressant or anxiety diagnosis before anyone considers ADHD.
—Sarah Oreck, SELF, 2 Mar. 2026
For example, according to a 2022 study on antidepressants, advertising encouraged more people to start treatment and expanded overall use, especially for underdiagnosed conditions.
—Anna Chorniy, The Conversation, 27 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for antidepressant
Cite this Entry
“Antidepressant.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/antidepressant. Accessed 11 Mar. 2026.
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?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
