depressed

adjective

de·​pressed di-ˈprest 

dē-

1

: low in spirits : sad

especially : affected by psychological depression

2

a

: vertically flattened

a depressed cactus

b

: having the central part lower than the margin

c

: lying flat or prostrate

d

: dorsoventrally flattened

3

: suffering from economic depression

especially : underprivileged

living in a depressed area

4

: being below the standard

Prices remain at a depressed level.

Synonyms of depressed

• concave
• hollow
• sunken

Examples of depressed in a Sentence

The rainy weather had her feeling lonely and depressed.

He was depressed about having to return to school.

The new drug is being tested on a group of severely depressed patients.

living in a depressed area

The patient has a somewhat depressed appetite.

Prices have remained at a depressed level.

Recent Examples on the Web

Children, yes, but families, grown-ups, single people, divorced people, cheerful people, depressed people, dog people, cat people, Dodgers fans, Padres fans, whomever. —Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 12 May 2026

But there are some important factors that could lower their ceiling, namely depressed enthusiasm with some key groups, the fact that there are fewer competitive districts than ever before and the state of the redistricting battle. —Domenico Montanaro, NPR, 9 May 2026

This period was draining for my body and spirit, leaving me depressed and unable to live a full life. —Lexi Lane, PEOPLE, 9 May 2026

Middle of Nowhere is a spirited, if depressed, reaffirmation of Musgraves’s foundations. —Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 7 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1530, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing depressed

• clinically depressed

Rhymes for depressed

• acquiesced
• coalesced
• dispossessed
• manifest
• overdressed
• overstressed
• prepossessed
• reassessed
• reinvest
• repossessed
• unaddressed
• uncompressed

Kids Definition

depressed

adjective

de·​pressed

1

a

: low in spirits : sad

b

: suffering from mental depression

2

: suffering from economic depression

Medical Definition

depressed

adjective

de·​pressed di-ˈprest 

1

: low in spirits

specifically : affected by psychological depression

a severely depressed patient

2

a

: having the central part lower than the margin

a depressed pustule

b

: dorsoventrally flattened

the tapeworm is a depressed animal

—R. A. Wardle & J. A. McLeod