depressed

adjective

de·​pressed di-ˈprest How to pronounce depressed (audio)
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
4
: being below the standard

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
What would Georgia wear in her most depressed state? Hedy Phillips, People.com, 16 June 2025 That can put them on edge and heighten their separation anxiety, Langan said, and if their owners are depressed or grief-stricken about loss and uncertainty, the animals absorb those emotions too. Steve Lopez, Los Angeles Times, 14 June 2025 Hit hard by Hurricane Andrew in 1992 and the loss of surrounding agriculture, Princeton has been a piece of what some long-time residents called the Dead Zone, a socially and economically depressed stretch of South Dixie north of Homestead. Andres Viglucci, Miami Herald, 13 June 2025 And the Trump administration’s statements about improving recruitment numbers over the past several months overlook both a late Biden-era surge after a pandemic slump as well as the reality that numbers remain depressed due to military services repeatedly lowering their recruitment goals. Jacob Ware, The Conversation, 12 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for depressed

Word History

First Known Use

1598, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of depressed was in 1598

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Cite this Entry

“Depressed.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/depressed. Accessed 29 Jun. 2025.

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 How to pronounce depressed (audio)
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 animalR. A. Wardle & J. A. McLeod

More from Merriam-Webster on depressed

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