depressive

1 of 2

adjective

de·​pres·​sive di-ˈpre-siv How to pronounce depressive (audio)
dē-
1
: tending to depress
2
: of, relating to, marked by, or affected by psychological depression
depressive symptoms
a depressive patient
depressively adverb

depressive

2 of 2

noun

: one who is affected with or prone to psychological depression

Examples of depressive in a Sentence

Adjective the depressive story about a struggling artist
Recent Examples on the Web
Adjective
Recent research has also demonstrated that precocious puberty has mental health effects that persist into adulthood, with young adults who went through early puberty more likely to experience depressive symptoms than those who matured at an average age. Alexa Lee, STAT, 7 Mar. 2024 There are four basic types of the disorder, which are characterized by periods of elation and hyper-activity known as manic episodes, which are then followed by depressive stages where the patient experiences feelings of sadness and depression. Vanessa Etienne, Peoplemag, 11 Feb. 2024 New research shows some people who participated in 90-minute heated yoga classes at least one a week noticed a 50% or greater reduction in depressive symptoms. Amber Sayer, Health, 27 Oct. 2023 Studies have shown that this type of journaling can be beneficial in reducing depressive symptoms and improving perception of stress and social support. Jess Cording, Forbes, 15 Feb. 2024 Perry was also taking buprenorphine, an opioid used to treat addiction, whose depressive effects on the central nervous system may have clashed with the ketamine in his system. Jason McGahan, The Hollywood Reporter, 20 Dec. 2023 Economists at Wall Street banks have estimated that recent losses in the stock market and higher bond yields could have a depressive effect on the economy equal to the impact of three or four quarter-point rate increases by the Fed. Christopher Rugaber The Associated Press, Arkansas Online, 1 Nov. 2023 Economists at Wall Street banks have estimated that sharp losses in the stock market and higher bond yields could have a depressive effect on the economy equal to the impact of three or four quarter-point rate hikes by the Fed. Christopher Rugaber, Fortune, 1 Nov. 2023 In addition to its potential benefits for anxiety, research indicates that CBD may have antidepressant-like effects, offering relief from depressive symptoms. Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 17 Aug. 2023
Noun
People living with bipolar cycle through manic or hypomanic (too much energy) and depressive (little to no energy) mood states, McInnis told me. Laura Newberry, Los Angeles Times, 1 Aug. 2023 The statistical relationship between impact factors and mental health data, analyzed from North America and other regions, could then be used to extrapolate the missing estimates for depressive and anxiety disorders for the many countries that lacked that data. Gary Stix, Scientific American, 8 Oct. 2021 Guston was a depressive and a heavy drinker and smoker who was haunted by two events: his father’s suicide by hanging — most accounts say a 10-year-old Guston found the body — and his brother’s death after developing gangrene because his legs were crushed by a car. Mark Jenkins, Washington Post, 18 Apr. 2023 Hayes is terrific as the depressive and self-deprecating pianist, composer, and noted wit Oscar Levant. Lester Fabian Brathwaite, EW.com, 25 Apr. 2023 Some of this rather strongly recalls the depressive absurdism and cracked ambition of Charlie Kaufman, another filmmaker unshy about mining his own dysfunction for deranged laughs. A.a. Dowd, Chron, 20 Apr. 2023 Gerald is a depressive. Rachel Desantis, PEOPLE.com, 24 Nov. 2021 This nightmarish scenario is a dream for Sheila (an excellently unnerving Kaley Cuoco), a neurotic depressive searching for purpose and a second chance. Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 21 Sep. 2022 Ray is a ruminative depressive who was institutionalized in 1979. Jordan Kisner, The Atlantic, 13 Sep. 2022

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'depressive.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1620, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1937, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of depressive was in 1620

Dictionary Entries Near depressive

Cite this Entry

“Depressive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/depressive. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Medical Definition

depressive

1 of 2 adjective
de·​pres·​sive di-ˈpres-iv How to pronounce depressive (audio)
1
: tending to depress
2
: of, relating to, marked by, or affected by psychological depression
the patient was paranoid and depressive
depressive symptoms

depressive

2 of 2 noun
: one who is affected with or prone to psychological depression
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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