1
as in recessions
a period of decreased economic activity
during the 1930s the U.S. suffered a great depression
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of depressions
That measure focuses primarily on pavement condition, Bhatt said, including factors like surface imperfections and depressions in the road.
—
Rose Evans
may 11, Idaho Statesman, 11 May 2026
The depressions in watermelon around seeds are also more liable to decay than the solid flesh of seedless types.
—Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 7 May 2026
Fill in depressions in the gravel.
—Lee Wallender, The Spruce, 30 Apr. 2026
Prairie-chickens build their nests in shallow depressions on the open prairie, typically about one mile away from the booming ground.
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 29 Apr. 2026
Using the back of a tablespoon, create 4 depressions in salt mixture, spacing evenly.
—Christopher Kostow, Bon Appetit Magazine, 27 Apr. 2026
Recessions, depressions, wars, pandemics, political meddling, stock market crashes, regulation, and recalls have repeatedly threatened carmakers’ continued survival.
—Jamie Lincoln Kitman, Rolling Stone, 24 Apr. 2026
These particular grabens could be much older than those depressions, however, so old that they could be connected to the loss of the sea that once filled Utopia Planitia over four billion years ago.
—Keith Cooper, Space.com, 23 Apr. 2026
Make gentle depressions with your fingertips to create ¼-inch-deep divots.
—Sj McShane, Martha Stewart, 12 Apr. 2026
Rose Evans
may 11, Idaho Statesman, 11 May 2026
The depressions in watermelon around seeds are also more liable to decay than the solid flesh of seedless types.
—Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 7 May 2026
Fill in depressions in the gravel.
—Lee Wallender, The Spruce, 30 Apr. 2026
Prairie-chickens build their nests in shallow depressions on the open prairie, typically about one mile away from the booming ground.
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 29 Apr. 2026
Using the back of a tablespoon, create 4 depressions in salt mixture, spacing evenly.
—Christopher Kostow, Bon Appetit Magazine, 27 Apr. 2026
Recessions, depressions, wars, pandemics, political meddling, stock market crashes, regulation, and recalls have repeatedly threatened carmakers’ continued survival.
—Jamie Lincoln Kitman, Rolling Stone, 24 Apr. 2026
These particular grabens could be much older than those depressions, however, so old that they could be connected to the loss of the sea that once filled Utopia Planitia over four billion years ago.
—Keith Cooper, Space.com, 23 Apr. 2026
Make gentle depressions with your fingertips to create ¼-inch-deep divots.
—Sj McShane, Martha Stewart, 12 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for depressions
Noun
-
Households consumed less, firms invested less, imports fell, and recessions compressed spending.—
James Broughel,
Forbes.com,
10 May 2026
-
If recessions are episodic and random, then contractionary fiscal or monetary policy during a downturn — the kind of austerity attempted in Britain’s 1847 financial crisis and catastrophically misapplied during the Great Depression—is almost certain to make things worse.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
9 May 2026
Noun
-
That alone changes the math — his cardio dropoff against Strickland was directly tied to the weight cut, and removing that variable fixes one of the only real holes in his game.—
Brian Mazique,
Forbes.com,
10 May 2026
-
Bullet holes could be seen in the back door of one of the homes.—
Alaa Elassar,
CNN Money,
10 May 2026
Noun
-
In 2024, for instance, NASA shared an image of the abuse one of Curiosity's wheels withstood on Mars, including dents and holes.—
Eric Lagatta,
USA Today,
12 May 2026
-
Avoid cans that have dents or lid damage, as this can increase the risk of bacteria that cause botulism (a form of food poisoning).—
Cristina Mutchler,
Verywell Health,
1 May 2026
Noun
-
Sometimes, players just go through slumps.—
Assistant Sports Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
7 May 2026
-
When managing a schedule of roughly 60 games, there isn’t time to be patient or let hitters work through slumps.—
Andrew Baggarly,
New York Times,
29 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The cost estimate for cleanup of the underwater waste, known as the northern impoundment of the San Jacinto waste pits, has now climbed to a quarter of a billion dollars.—
Rebekah F. Ward,
Houston Chronicle,
7 May 2026
-
There are two square holes in the stage — basically orchestra pits where the band resides.—
Owen Gleiberman,
Variety,
7 May 2026
Noun
-
After two years of aggressive decreases in auto theft rates, every tool needs to be used to return to that trend.—
Ubah Ali,
CBS News,
9 May 2026
-
Carroll Rivas added that decreases of nonviolent incidents in the audit appear in part attributed to fewer in-person events, leaflet or flyer distributions or other gatherings, particularly among white nationalists and neo-Nazis.—
Eduardo Cuevas,
USA Today,
6 May 2026
Noun
-
The light triggered a chemical rearrangement inside the crystal, reshaping its internal architecture and creating tiny cavities capable of trapping water molecules from the air.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
12 May 2026
-
Brilliant knots of newborn stars, dark rivers of dust and glowing cavities carved by stellar winds combine to create a vivid portrait of galaxies in constant motion.—
Samantha Mathewson,
Space.com,
11 May 2026
Noun
-
The charge carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison, but the plea agreement says the government will recommend level reductions in the sentencing guidelines.—
Andrew Blankstein,
NBC news,
12 May 2026
-
And their representatives on Monday did not rule out coming back to the city to ask for additional reductions as the work advances.—
Jake Sheridan,
Chicago Tribune,
11 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Depressions.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/depressions. Accessed 14 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
