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

The hurricane center indicates environmental conditions are favorable for the remnants to become a tropical depression again, with the chances of storm formation at 70% over 48 hours and 90% over the next seven days. — Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 23 Sep. 2026

Only 6% to 8% of women with peripartum depression receive adequate psychiatric treatment, and suicide and homicide combined are the leading cause of maternal mortality in the United States. — Meg Leduc, STAT, 23 Sep. 2026

The guild started during the great depression as a way for artists to sell their work. — Eva Flowe, Charlotte Observer, 22 Sep. 2026

Research consistently shows that people who quit smoking experience reductions in anxiety, depression and stress, along with improvements in mood and overall quality of life over time. — Hasmeena Kathuria, The Conversation, 22 Sep. 2026