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

Four in 10 American kids will become adults hampered by obesity, chronic illness, anxiety, depression, or other conditions that can limit their opportunities and shorten their lives. — Stanley McChrystal, STAT, 29 Sep. 2026

The Mayo Clinic defines the mental health condition as typically marked by hallucinations, delusions, depression, and mania. — Leigh Blickley, Entertainment Weekly, 29 Sep. 2026

Heart attacks and strokes occur disproportionately following rejections, and rejected individuals often show symptoms that are typically associated with drug withdrawal, including anxiety, depression, crying, loss of appetite, and irritability. — George Loewenstein, Vogue, 28 Sep. 2026

Insomnia is also tied to a higher risk of depression, suicidal behavior, and dementia, especially Alzheimer’s disease. — Tom Gavin, EverydayHealth.com, 28 Sep. 2026