depress

verb de·press \ di-ˈpres , dē- \

Updated on: 12 May 2018

Definition of depress

transitive verb

1 obsolete : repress, subjugate

2 a : to press down

depress a typewriter key

b : to cause to sink to a lower position

3 : to lessen the activity or strength of

drugs that may depress the appetite

4 : sadden, discourage

don't let the news depress you

5 : to decrease the market value or marketability of

—

depressible

play \-ˈpre-sə-bəl\ adjective

See depress defined for English-language learners

See depress defined for kids

Examples of depress in a Sentence

The news seemed to depress him a little.
I don't mean to depress you, but there's no way we can win.
We were all depressed by the loss.
You shouldn't let this kind of problem depress you.
These changes could depress the economy.
Market conditions are likely to depress earnings in the next quarter.
depressing the price of a stock
Slowly depress the car's brake pedal.
Depress the “shift” key on your keyboard.
The doctor will depress your tongue and look at your throat.

Recent Examples of depress from the Web

The task for Democrats will be to mobilize their core voters to turn out while winning over (or at least depressing) the vote of some Trump skeptics who’ve chosen Republicans in the past.

— matthew yglesias, Vox, "Democrats’ 2018 impeachment dilemma, explained," 30 Apr. 2018
Traumatized and depressed, the student received intensive psychiatric treatment at a nearby hospital and temporarily stopped going to school, the lawsuit says.

— david jesse, Detroit Free Press, "Michigan State lawsuit sounds familiar to sexual assault survivors," 12 Apr. 2018
Consumers are poised to bounce back soon, but severe weather threatens to depress March retail activity, delaying evidence that tax cuts are boosting growth until the second quarter.

— steve matthews, Bloomberg.com, "Trump's Economy Is Still Waiting for the Tax-Cut Boost," 16 Mar. 2018
But Greg is depressed in this particular here and now.

— kristi turnquist, OregonLive.com, "Portland back in the TV spotlight with HBO's ambitious, unfocused 'Here and Now' (review)," 8 Feb. 2018
So depressing to put time, money and effort into something that turns out meh.

— kim walker, Woman's Day, "Egg Sandwich with Bacon, Avocado and Red Pepper Spread," 17 Jan. 2012
Yes, that’s completely presidential and not depressing at all.

— graeme mcmillan, WIRED, "While You Were Offline: How Was Your Comey Week?," 22 Apr. 2018
Exactly how many will depend on the census, which has been the source of recent debate after President Donald Trump announced plans to add a citizenship question that advocacy groups warn will depress Latino participation.

— allie morris, San Antonio Express-News, "Top court to take up racial question in Texas redistricting case," 22 Apr. 2018
Trail, a nature lover and a poet with a furrowed brow and small eyeglasses that sit low on the bridge of his nose, is the first to admit that the job can be incredibly depressing.

— National Geographic, "Inside the Black Market Hummingbird Love Charm Trade," 18 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'depress.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of depress

Middle English, from Middle French depresser, from Latin depressus, past participle of deprimere to press down, from de- + premere to press — more at press

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

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depress Synonyms

DEPRESS Defined for English Language Learners

depress

verb

Definition of depress for English Language Learners

: to make (someone) feel sad : to make (someone) depressed
: to decrease the activity or strength of (something)
: to press (something) down

DEPRESS Defined for Kids

depress

verb de·press \ di-ˈpres \

Definition of depress for Students

depressed; depressing

1 : to press down

Depress the “enter” key.

2 : to make sad or discouraged Don't let the news depress you.

3 : to lessen the activity or strength of

Bad weather had depressed sales.

Medical Dictionary

depress

transitive verb de·press \ di-ˈpres \

medical Definition of depress

1 : to diminish the activity, strength, or yield of

able to depress irritability of the heart muscle by the use of such a drug as procaine

2 : to lower in spirit or mood

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depress

Definition of depress

depressible

Examples of depress in a Sentence

Recent Examples of depress from the Web

Origin and Etymology of depress

depress Synonyms

Synonyms

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DEPRESS Defined for English Language Learners

depress

Definition of depress for English Language Learners

DEPRESS Defined for Kids

depress

Definition of depress for Students

Medical Dictionary

depress

medical Definition of depress

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