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

Floyd’s sincerity, the startling extremity of his concern for the comfort of others, snaps Clark out of his depressed, and depressing, complacency. —Alexandra Schwartz, New Yorker, 24 Apr. 2026

Americans prefer Democratic control of Congress by a 4-point margin, unchanged from the prior survey, and attitudes toward the Democratic Party remain depressed with 52% reporting a negative view compared with 26% who are positive. —Steve Liesman, CNBC, 23 Apr. 2026

This was not someone who was depressed. —Angela Andaloro, PEOPLE, 21 Apr. 2026

So why are young Americans so depressed about their economic future? —Idrees Kahloon, The Atlantic, 13 Apr. 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