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

The first episode largely focuses on the male perspective through the eyes of the angry, lonely, and depressed Jeremy (Jaquel Spivey). —Barry Levitt, Time, 22 Jan. 2026

So purchases have been even more depressed than during the dark days of the Great Recession in 2008-09. —Jonathan Lansner, Oc Register, 21 Jan. 2026

Etsy witches, vision boards and talisman jewelry are some of the ways consumers are seeking refuge from another wise depressed outlook. —Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 20 Jan. 2026

Set in Xinjiang, the film explores the inner life of a depressed man whose encounters with a flower seller rekindle his will to live. —Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 19 Jan. 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