depressed

1 of 2

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.

depressed

2 of 2

past tense and past participle of depress

Synonyms of depressed

Adjective

• concave
• hollow
• sunken

Examples of depressed in a Sentence

Adjective

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

Adjective

Lindsay Clancy was depressed, prosecutor says During more than four weeks of testimony, jurors heard differing views from medical experts about Clancy’s mental state after Callan’s birth. — Michael Casey, Chicago Tribune, 27 Aug. 2026

Many established theatrical distributors are also wary of the current depressed market for documentaries. — Anne Thompson, IndieWire, 27 Aug. 2026

After the 1994 Northridge earthquake, the downtown area was economically depressed. — Summer Lin, Los Angeles Times, 27 Aug. 2026

A couple preseason catches isn’t everything, but Golden was already a strong bet at a depressed ADP, and making some in-game plays is a real positive. — Ben Gretch, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

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