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

Within a year of its onset, the economic depression practically eradicated the need to mint any new coinage for months. — Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 2 Sep. 2026

According to the Sepsis Alliance, depression is among the symptoms of post-sepsis syndrome. — Chris Gardner, HollywoodReporter, 2 Sep. 2026

Parents, politicians and child advocacy groups are worried that social media is contributing to depression, anxiety, eating disorders and other issues. — Queenie Wong, Los Angeles Times, 1 Sep. 2026

In middle school, the anger morphed into sadness, and by high school the sadness became depression. — Keri Janton, AJC.com, 1 Sep. 2026