Synonyms of depression

depression

noun

di-ˈpre-shən 

1

as in recession

a period of decreased economic activity

during the 1930s the U.S. suffered a great depression

Synonyms & Similar Words

• recession
• slump
• panic
• stagnation
• downturn
• slowdown
• crash
• bust
• downswing
• downbeat
• downdraft
• downtrend

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• development
• growth
• boom
• progress
• recovery
• advancement
• rally

2

as in sadness

a state or spell of low spirits

she called her friend to see if a sympathetic ear would relieve his depression

Synonyms & Similar Words

• sadness
• melancholy
• sorrowfulness
• grief
• sorrow
• mournfulness
• gloom
• anguish
• unhappiness
• oppression
• misery
• dejection
• despair
• blues
• gloominess
• agony
• glumness
• desperation
• heartsickness
• joylessness
• dreariness
• pain
• dumps
• despondency
• despondence
• mourning
• miserableness
• boredom
• forlornness
• distress
• downheartedness
• doldrums
• mopes
• blue devils
• despond
• melancholia
• desolation
• disconsolateness
• dispiritedness
• self-pity
• regret
• discouragement
• hopelessness
• dolefulness
• somberness
• wretchedness
• ennui
• disheartenment
• woe
• moodiness
• dolor
• moroseness
• woefulness
• tedium
• morbidness
• drear
• self-despair
• dismalness
• morosity
• rue

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• happiness
• joy
• euphoria
• intoxication
• ecstasy
• elation
• bliss
• rapture
• exultation
• exuberance
• heaven
• exhilaration
• jubilation
• joyousness
• gladness
• joyfulness
• felicity
• optimism
• humor
• mirth
• glee
• gaiety
• merriment
• gayness
• lightheartedness
• cheerfulness
• joviality
• hopefulness
• jollity
• blissfulness
• elatedness
• satisfaction
• rapturousness
• contentment
• cheeriness
• gladsomeness
• content
• mirthfulness
• cheer
• contentedness
• gleefulness
• gratification
• sunniness
• delight

3

as in hole

a sunken area forming a separate space

the water generally collects in the patchwork of depressions in the city plaza

Synonyms & Similar Words

• hole
• pit
• dent
• cavity
• concavity
• furrow
• indentation
• hollow
• ditch
• recess
• trench
• valley
• dint
• cave
• trough
• basin
• excavation
• indenture
• bowl
• gutter
• impression
• groove
• cavern
• burrow
• crater
• alcove
• abyss
• pocket
• opening
• cleft
• vacuum
• water hole
• dimple
• socket
• imprint
• chasm
• well
• nook
• pothole
• niche
• borehole
• sinkhole
• void
• notch
• gouge
• wallow
• vacuity
• alveolus
• gulf
• chuckhole
• posthole

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• projection
• bulge
• protrusion
• rise
• convexity
• hill
• camber
• tumor
• protuberance
• swelling
• mound
• hump
• swell
• jut
• lump
• bump
• bunch
• pimple

4

as in decrease

the amount by which something is lessened

a depression in the number of new homes being built

Synonyms & Similar Words

• decrease
• reduction
• dent
• decline
• drop
• depletion
• shrinkage
• loss
• slump
• diminution
• decrement
• abatement
• fall
• falloff
• drop-off
• diminishment
• step-down
• downturn
• subtraction
• deduction
• curtailment
• shortening
• retrenchment
• cut
• cutback
• slip

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• increase
• rise
• enlargement
• gain
• increment
• boost
• raise
• accumulation
• addition
• extension
• continuation
• accrual
• supplement
• accretion
• uptick
• step-up
• upturn
• upswing
• uptrend

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of depression

Yet research consistently links heavy smartphone and social media use among children and adolescents to poor sleep, anxiety and depression, bullying, attention difficulties and academic challenges. — Elizabeth Dowdell, Fortune, 15 July 2026

Common motor symptoms include tremors, stiffness and slow movement, while non-motor ones include anxiety, depression, sleep problems and fatigue. — Charles Trepany, USA Today, 15 July 2026

Participants report reductions in anxiety and depression symptoms, along with improvements in sleep quality and overall quality of life. — Nicole Williams, AJC.com, 14 July 2026

The debate extends beyond Washington’s oldest figures, highlighting stark contrasts between officials who conceal depression or cognitive decline and those who disclose diagnoses, as voters weigh age, transparency and fitness for office. — Jill Colvin, Los Angeles Times, 14 July 2026