1
as in recessions
a period of decreased economic activity
during the 1930s the U.S. suffered a great depression
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in holes
a sunken area forming a separate space
the water generally collects in the patchwork of depressions in the city plaza
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in dents
the amount by which something is lessened
a depression in the number of new homes being built
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of depressions
The strongest winds occur during the wintertime and are due to depressions in the Atlantic.
—
Josh Lew, Treehugger, 20 Jan. 2026
Lazar says strong winds blew this new snow into gullies and depressions, depositing it onto older layers of snow.
—Madison Dapcevich, Outside, 13 Jan. 2026
However, a second cluster features narrower walls made of smaller stones, apparently built to block natural depressions in the terrain, as reported by Archaeology Mag.
—Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 13 Dec. 2025
Comedy's always done well during tough times, like economic depressions and just tough times in general.
—Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 24 Nov. 2025
This happened because the countries' leaders often stuck to the commitment to back the money with gold, which led to debt defaults and deflationary depressions.
—Ray Dalio, Time, 30 Oct. 2025
The impact craters are the depressions or markings left behind after something like an asteroid or comet crashes into the moon's surface, according to NASA.
—Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 16 Oct. 2025
Sinkholes, depressions in the ground caused by the sudden collapse of the surface layer, can form for various reasons, including natural causes like intense rainfall, flooding or drought, as well as human activities such as construction and aging infrastructure.
—Shane Croucher, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Sep. 2025
The bumps and depressions were less than a tenth the size of the groove itself; even the most advanced microscopes of the day couldn’t detect features that small.
—Allison Marsh, IEEE Spectrum, 17 Sep. 2025
Josh Lew, Treehugger, 20 Jan. 2026
Lazar says strong winds blew this new snow into gullies and depressions, depositing it onto older layers of snow.
—Madison Dapcevich, Outside, 13 Jan. 2026
However, a second cluster features narrower walls made of smaller stones, apparently built to block natural depressions in the terrain, as reported by Archaeology Mag.
—Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 13 Dec. 2025
Comedy's always done well during tough times, like economic depressions and just tough times in general.
—Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 24 Nov. 2025
This happened because the countries' leaders often stuck to the commitment to back the money with gold, which led to debt defaults and deflationary depressions.
—Ray Dalio, Time, 30 Oct. 2025
The impact craters are the depressions or markings left behind after something like an asteroid or comet crashes into the moon's surface, according to NASA.
—Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 16 Oct. 2025
Sinkholes, depressions in the ground caused by the sudden collapse of the surface layer, can form for various reasons, including natural causes like intense rainfall, flooding or drought, as well as human activities such as construction and aging infrastructure.
—Shane Croucher, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Sep. 2025
The bumps and depressions were less than a tenth the size of the groove itself; even the most advanced microscopes of the day couldn’t detect features that small.
—Allison Marsh, IEEE Spectrum, 17 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for depressions
Noun
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Typically, deficits expand in recessions because of lower tax revenues and additional spending on unemployment benefits.—
Raghuram Rajan,
Time,
23 Jan. 2026
-
Twin recessions with unemployment rates topping 10% and remaining above 7% for about four years.—
Howard Schneider,
USA Today,
19 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Officers saw multiple bullet holes on the metal fence dividing the properties and shell casings in his backyard, the affidavit said.—
Sofia Saric,
Miami Herald,
7 Jan. 2026
-
Add a pass rusher with the first pick, a receiver in Round 2 and then spend heavily on patching holes in free agency.—
Jacob Robinson,
New York Times,
7 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Uneven tire wear, low tire pressure, sidewall bulges or blisters and dents in wheel rims.—
Jim Gorzelany,
Forbes.com,
21 Jan. 2026
-
One of these conditions involves any severe corrosion, dents, or cracks in the pipes.—
Molly McCrea,
CBS News,
13 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Just one week ago, Miami Heat center and captain Bam Adebayo was in the middle of one of the worst offensive slumps of his NBA career.—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
19 Jan. 2026
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Why are all the metals flying higher, while oil slumps to multi-year lows?—
Kelly Evans,
CNBC,
19 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
Charmaine’s crowns the Proper Hotel with its fire pits and a style‑savvy crowd, and Bar Sprezzatura layers Venetian charm onto a tucked‑away courtyard.—
Lewis Nunn,
Forbes.com,
22 Jan. 2026
-
Most have separate living areas and outdoor fire pits.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
22 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Those decreases have been offset by an increase in the amount of square footage owned by the state government.—
William Melhado,
Sacbee.com,
26 Jan. 2026
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Additionally, Peloton has experienced subscriber loss, with some quarters registering slight decreases in connected fitness memberships.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
23 Jan. 2026
Noun
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The result is a constant push-and-pull between growth and disruption as the star accretes from its disk while simultaneously blasting material away, carving cavities and shaping the environment that neighboring stars and planets will inherit.—
Kenna Hughes-Castleberry,
Space.com,
16 Jan. 2026
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No eczema, no cavities in her teeth, nothing.—
Brenda Goodman,
CNN Money,
16 Jan. 2026
Noun
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That marks a break from longstanding practice, as regulators have long relied on the VSL to value mortality reductions in regulatory cost-benefit analysis.—
James Broughel,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
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The disaster shook public confidence, led to speed reductions and temporarily paused construction on new lines, but no major incidents have been reported in the 15 years since, even as the network has continued to expand.—
Ben Jones,
CNN Money,
26 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Depressions.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/depressions. Accessed 28 Jan. 2026.
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