Synonyms of depress

depress

verb

di-ˈpres 

1

as in to oppress

to make sad

the thought of once again failing the bar exam depressed me

Synonyms & Similar Words

• oppress
• sadden
• burden
• worry
• trouble
• deject
• bum (out)
• bother
• weigh down
• torture
• concern
• disturb
• get down
• distress
• discourage
• afflict
• upset
• ail
• torment
• unsettle
• dishearten
• dash
• perturb
• unnerve
• demoralize
• daunt
• dispirit
• agitate
• discomfort
• undo
• unhinge
• dismay
• exercise
• discompose
• disquiet
• freak (out)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• lighten
• brighten
• rejoice
• assure
• stimulate
• gladden
• enliven
• invigorate
• reassure
• buoy
• animate
• soothe
• excite
• cheer (up)
• inspire
• comfort
• encourage
• console
• please
• lift
• elevate
• gratify
• delight
• uplift
• solace
• elate
• boost
• hearten
• exhilarate

2

as in to throw

to cause to fall intentionally or unintentionally

construction workers depressed the roadbed in order to make way for an overpass

Synonyms & Similar Words

• throw
• drop
• lower
• flatten
• throw down
• topple
• floor
• level
• strike down
• sink
• submerge
• fumble
• plop
• immerse
• knock down
• knock over
• plunk down
• bungle
• foozle
• bobble

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• raise
• lift
• pick up

3

as in to reduce

to diminish the price or value of

the glut of wheat on the market has depressed that commodity for most of the past year

Synonyms & Similar Words

• reduce
• lower
• attenuate
• devalue
• sink
• cheapen
• shrink
• devaluate
• depreciate
• downgrade
• write down
• mark down
• write off
• break
• debase
• undervalue
• underestimate
• underrate
• compress
• lessen
• underprice
• deflate
• abridge
• demonetize
• dwindle
• downsize
• moderate
• contract
• de-escalate

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• enhance
• appreciate
• upgrade
• inflate
• mark up
• increase
• blow up
• overestimate
• add
• extend
• augment
• raise
• expand
• heighten
• maximize
• enlarge
• amplify
• multiply
• swell
• boost
• escalate
• dilate
• bloat
• overrate
• overvalue
• compound
• up
• overprice
• aggrandize
• balloon

4

as in to press

to push steadily against with some force

depressed the lever to start the machine

Synonyms & Similar Words

• press
• shove
• compress
• bear (down on)
• weigh (on or upon)
• compel
• force
• squeeze
• pressure
• punch
• mash
• propel
• muscle
• thrust
• squish
• constrict
• squash
• wring
• lean (on or against)
• squoosh
• condense
• drive
• wedge
• compact
• crush
• stuff
• cram
• jam
• contract
• scrunch
• pack
• jam-pack

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of depress

The Swiss victory over Colombia in Tuesday’s knockout match seemed to depress the market further. — Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 8 July 2026

The high-pressure system that’s causing temperature spikes, Ciliberti said, is also depressing much of the particulate matter, pushing it closer to the ground. — Sandra McDonald, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026

For example, El Niño has been known to depress the rice yield in India and other parts of Asia, which can lead to food price inflation. — Andrew Freedman, CNN Money, 6 July 2026

The problem is that too many teachers are failing to motivate students, and the peer effect can go both ways, depressing student achievement in places where ambition isn’t valued. — Mike Goldstein, The Atlantic, 25 June 2026