1
as in recession
a period of decreased economic activity
during the 1930s the U.S. suffered a great depression
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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
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3
as in hole
a sunken area forming a separate space
the water generally collects in the patchwork of depressions in the city plaza
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4
as in decrease
the amount by which something is lessened
a depression in the number of new homes being built
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of depression
The start of March is just the antidote needed to combat seasonal depression.
—
Christina Perrier, InStyle, 21 Feb. 2026
The deliberate, repetitive action is found to help lower blood pressure, decrease symptoms of depression and even protect aging brains from cognitive decline.
—Alana Wise, NPR, 20 Feb. 2026
In 2017, production was halted as Dane battled depression.
—Maria Sherman, Fortune, 20 Feb. 2026
The actor entered a California treatment center in 2011 for a prescription drug addiction, and in 2017, his struggle with depression led him to take a leave of absence from the television series The Last Ship, halting production for over a month.
—Kevin Dolak, HollywoodReporter, 20 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for depression
Christina Perrier, InStyle, 21 Feb. 2026
The deliberate, repetitive action is found to help lower blood pressure, decrease symptoms of depression and even protect aging brains from cognitive decline.
—Alana Wise, NPR, 20 Feb. 2026
In 2017, production was halted as Dane battled depression.
—Maria Sherman, Fortune, 20 Feb. 2026
The actor entered a California treatment center in 2011 for a prescription drug addiction, and in 2017, his struggle with depression led him to take a leave of absence from the television series The Last Ship, halting production for over a month.
—Kevin Dolak, HollywoodReporter, 20 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for depression
Recent Examples of Synonyms for depression
Noun
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This includes both 2000 and 2007, when bubbles bursting coincided with painful recessions.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
20 Feb. 2026
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How Generation Alpha Might Approach Parenting When Millennial parents first joined the workforce, the economy bottomed out into a crushing recession.—
Sarah Cottrell,
Parents,
20 Feb. 2026
Noun
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The film’s wry brand of sadness at times recalls the work of Aki Kaurismäki, although Covi and Frimmel rarely mimic the Finnish auteur’s deadpan style of humor.—
Jordan Mintzer,
HollywoodReporter,
19 Feb. 2026
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The two gin monoliths, like so much of the visual design of the film, gave production designer Suzie Davies and her team the chance to reach the apex of a feeling — whether anger, sadness, despair, or desire.—
Sarah Shachat,
IndieWire,
18 Feb. 2026
Noun
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The day before, Bridgeman matched the tournament’s 54-hole scoring record of 194 set four years ago by Joaquin Niemann, who went on to shoot even par in the final round to win by two strokes at 19 under.—
Steve Galluzzo,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Feb. 2026
-
Another bunker on 17, turning a birdie hole into a par.—
Brody Miller,
New York Times,
23 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Interviewed before the store closing, chief executive officer Tres Lund said last year that an increase in store security expenses and decrease in customer visits had left operating costs outpacing sales.—
Frederick Melo,
Twin Cities,
26 Feb. 2026
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In December, city staff requested an end to meeting room reservations for outside organizations due to concerns over security, a decrease in room bookings, and billing and reservation system challenges.—
Carolyn Stein,
Chicago Tribune,
26 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Home-buying expectations were little changed in February, generally a slow time for the housing market, which has been mired in a yearslong slump.—
Matt Ott,
Los Angeles Times,
24 Feb. 2026
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Home-buying expectations were little changed in February, generally a slow time for the housing market, which has been mired in a years-long slump.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
24 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Turner plays the middle brother with intriguing melancholy and an almost alien detachment, which works within the world this film creates, but not necessarily for a main character.—
David Opie,
IndieWire,
15 Feb. 2026
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Fanning’s name was the first called when nominations were announced, signaling that Scandinavian melancholy would be notably absent that morning.—
Glenn Whipp,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Towering glass and timber doors open to reveal views all the way through to a central courtyard hosting a swimming pool with a Baja shelf and spa, a fire pit, sun lounges, an alfresco dining patio, and grassy lawns laced with olive trees and lush gardens beyond.—
Wendy Bowman,
Robb Report,
20 Feb. 2026
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This particular set also comes with a fire pit table with adjustable heat controls for an enjoyable outdoor setup even on brisk spring nights.—
Melanie Fincher,
Better Homes & Gardens,
19 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Eco effort LightStay, Hilton’s award-winning environmental and social impact platform, rigorously tracks and manages energy use, water consumption, waste reduction, and community impact.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
22 Feb. 2026
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An obvious target would be to have the state pick up the costs of its unfunded mandate to require a reduction in class size in New York City.—
Paul Francis,
New York Daily News,
22 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Depression.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/depression. Accessed 27 Feb. 2026.
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