DEPRESSANT Synonyms: 48 Similar and Opposite Words

depressant

adjective

Definition of depressant

as in sedative

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words

Example Sentences

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.

Recent Examples of depressant Clancy’s psychiatrist already took the stand to discuss the defendant’s anxiety in September, which turned into insomnia in October, after she was prescribed the anti-depressant Zoloft. — Colleen Cronin, Boston Herald, 11 Aug. 2026 At the time of the 1998 murder-suicide, Brynn had cocaine, alcohol and a prescription anti-depressant in her system, The New York Times reported. — Emily Blackwood, PEOPLE, 17 Apr. 2026 The drink is known for its mild euphoria and depressant effects. — Kristen Rogers, CNN Money, 26 Aug. 2025

Recent Examples of Synonyms for depressant

Adjective

While one form, or isomer, of thalidomide has a sedative effect, the other is thought to cause abnormal physiological development.

— Sajish Mathew, The Conversation, 7 Oct. 2026
As the lethal dose of the sedative pentobarbital began flowing, Ramey took a deep breath, sputtered and began snoring.

— MICHAEL GRACZYK, Arkansas Online, 24 Sep. 2026

Definition of sedative

Adjective

People with thyroid disease, kidney, liver or heart problems, or those taking NSAIDs, opiate pain medications or certain antidepressants can actually take in too much water.

— Hanna Wickes, Sacbee.com, 8 Sep. 2026
Because poppy seeds come from the same plant species used to produce opiates, consuming large amounts can sometimes lead to detectable levels of opiate compounds in urine tests.

— Daryl Austin, USA Today, 19 July 2026

Definition of opiate

Adjective

My Instagram Discover page is a narcotic carousel of supple leather and gleaming metal.

— Adam Erace, Fortune, 26 Sep. 2026
Night’s narcotic thinking led me to conclude that some katabatic shift of winds had buried the valley in the wildfire smoke that yellows so many summers these days.

— J. B. MacKinnon, Harpers Magazine, 22 Sep. 2026

Definition of narcotic

Adjective

And in the Dominican Republic, DIY beatmakers disassembled and sped up reggaeton’s dembow riddim into hypnotic dance floor experience, paving the way for crossover sensations like El Alfa and Tokischa.

— Richard Villegas, Rolling Stone, 12 Oct. 2026
Each feels expansively lush without ever losing that genuinely old school rock and roll momentum, in large part due to the hypnotic drumming of Adam Shumski and inventive lead guitars of Dan Ryan.

— Brendan Hay, SPIN, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of hypnotic

Browse Nearby Words

depress

depressant

depressed

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Depressant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/depressant. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of depressant

adjective

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on depressant

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

deportment

Popular in Grammar & Usage

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Popular in Wordplay

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

The Words of the Week - Oct. 9

Popular

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

Games & Quizzes