antidepressant

1 of 2

adjective

an·​ti·​de·​pres·​sant ˌan-tē-di-ˈpre-sᵊnt  ˌan-ˌtī- 

: used or tending to relieve or prevent depression

antidepressant drugs

antidepressant

2 of 2

noun

: an antidepressant drug see ssri, tricyclic antidepressant

Examples of antidepressant in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Lemon Balm — Mint-family herb with calming, anti-anxiety, and antidepressant properties. —Ryan Brennan may 6, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 6 May 2026

Researchers found antidepressant effects from psilocybin and supportive psychotherapy may last at least a year in some patients. —Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 20 Apr. 2026

Noun

For people who cannot or prefer not to use hormones, Colella says that non-hormonal medications such as certain antidepressants or blood pressure drugs may similarly help relieve hot flashes and improve mood symptoms. —Daryl Austin, USA Today, 9 May 2026

As the federal health department launches a plan to wean patients off antidepressants, mental health advocates and psychiatrists say blaming the United States' mental health crisis on overmedicalization and overprescription of psychiatric medications is an inaccurate portrayal of a complex problem. —Rhitu Chatterjee, NPR, 7 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1961, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1962, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing antidepressant

• tricyclic antidepressant

Rhymes for antidepressant

• preadolescent
• acquiescent
• adolescent
• arborescent
• coalescent
• convalescent
• deliquescent
• effervescent
• evanescent
• incandescent
• iridescent
• luminescent

Medical Definition

antidepressant

1 of 2 adjective

an·​ti·​de·​pres·​sant ˌant-i-di-ˈpres-ᵊnt, ˌan-ˌtī- 

variants also antidepressive

-ˈpres-iv 

: 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