depressant

noun

de·​pres·​sant di-ˈpre-sᵊnt 

dē-

: one that depresses

specifically : an agent that reduces a bodily functional activity or an instinctive desire (such as appetite)

depressant adjective

Examples of depressant in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Movement, fresh air, and connection with nature are all natural anti-depressants; research finds that just two hours a week spent in nature — that’s even less than 20 minutes a day — improves overall health and wellbeing. —Kari Leibowitz, CNBC, 27 Jan. 2026

And gabapentin becomes dangerous when combined with other central nervous system depressants such as opioids, benzodiazepines or alcohol. —Daryl Austin, USA Today, 27 Jan. 2026

He was voluntarily committed to a mental health institution after that and prescribed anti-depressants and anti-anxiety medication. —Charlotte Observer, 7 Jan. 2026

Hangover symptoms occur because alcohol is a central nervous system depressant, Julia Adamian, MD, an internal medicine specialist at NYU Langone Health tells SELF. —Ciara Lucas, SELF, 30 Dec. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1824, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for depressant

• fluorescent
• incessant
• putrescent
• quiescent
• senescent
• suppressant
• acquiescent
• adolescent
• arborescent
• coalescent
• convalescent
• deliquescent

Kids Definition

depressant

noun

de·​pres·​sant di-ˈpres-ᵊnt 

: a substance (as a drug) that reduces the activity of bodily systems

depressant adjective

Medical Definition

depressant

1 of 2 adjective

de·​pres·​sant -ᵊnt 

: tending to depress

especially : lowering or tending to lower functional or vital activity

a drug with a depressant effect on heart rate

depressant

2 of 2 noun

: one that depresses

specifically : an agent that reduces bodily functional activity or an instinctive desire (as appetite)

a depressant of intestinal spasm