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
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
Most tropical activity in the Atlantic – depressions, storms and hurricanes – occurs from mid-August to mid-October.
—Mary Gilbert, CNN Money, 17 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
From this research, Motiva created its unique surface, which features depressions (approximately 16,000 nanometers in depth) that are the smallest available, according to a study published in the journal Case Reports in Plastic Surgery & Hand Surgery.
—Megan McIntyre, Allure, 16 Sep. 2025
Parcels on the block had been subdivided, depressions in the curb laid for future driveways.
—Maureen Lee Lenker, Entertainment Weekly, 10 Sep. 2025
The Saffir‒Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale (SSHWS) classifies hurricanes—western hemisphere tropical cyclones that exceed the intensities of tropical depressions and tropical storms—into five categories, distinguished by the intensities of their sustained winds.
—Miriam Toews
september 3, Literary Hub, 3 Sep. 2025
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
Most tropical activity in the Atlantic – depressions, storms and hurricanes – occurs from mid-August to mid-October.
—Mary Gilbert, CNN Money, 17 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
From this research, Motiva created its unique surface, which features depressions (approximately 16,000 nanometers in depth) that are the smallest available, according to a study published in the journal Case Reports in Plastic Surgery & Hand Surgery.
—Megan McIntyre, Allure, 16 Sep. 2025
Parcels on the block had been subdivided, depressions in the curb laid for future driveways.
—Maureen Lee Lenker, Entertainment Weekly, 10 Sep. 2025
The Saffir‒Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale (SSHWS) classifies hurricanes—western hemisphere tropical cyclones that exceed the intensities of tropical depressions and tropical storms—into five categories, distinguished by the intensities of their sustained winds.
—Miriam Toews
september 3, Literary Hub, 3 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for depressions
Noun
-
Tennessee has amassed more than $2 billion in a rainy day fund, designed to be used to accommodate unexpected shortfalls in state revenues, and amid emergencies such as natural disasters and recessions.—
Vivian Jones,
Nashville Tennessean,
23 Oct. 2025
-
Previous recessions including the 2008 Great Recession were triggered by similar risky lending practices.—
Andrew Stanton,
MSNBC Newsweek,
22 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Despite what many baseball fans think, the Dodgers do have holes to fill in their lineup.—
Drew VonScio,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 Nov. 2025
-
The ozone layer has historically provided a critical defense between the potentially harmful rays of the sun and the people who live on the Earth’s surface, but climate change has served to weaken it, even causing holes within it in certain areas.—
William Jones,
Ascend Agency,
11 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Even worse, scratches, dents, and imperfections can stand out dramatically.—
Lauren Bengtson,
Better Homes & Gardens,
25 Oct. 2025
-
The roomy, high-cut ABS shell fits a variety of head shapes and shrugs off dents, while adjustable sizing ensures comfort.—
Outside,
Outside,
21 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The ebbs and flows of results will occur for any team, but the best coaches are those who keep any short-term slumps to a minimum.—
Mark Carey,
New York Times,
25 Oct. 2025
-
Research has also found that high-protein breakfasts help to stabilize blood sugar, reduce mid-morning energy slumps, support metabolism and maintain muscle mass, especially in older adults.—
Deirdre Bardolf,
FOXNews.com,
19 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The United States Consumer Product Safety Commission issued an alert in December 2024 warning against using fire pits that burn alcohol or liquid fuels due to the devices violating a voluntary safety standard.—
Caelyn Pender,
Mercury News,
6 Nov. 2025
-
Rubbish pits also contained various food waste, including animal bones and oyster shells.—
Andrea Margolis,
FOXNews.com,
30 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The dividend may come in forms other than direct checks, such as various tax decreases.—
Jordan Green,
Nashville Tennessean,
10 Nov. 2025
-
Heart rate decreases during stretching, which could signify the body entering a calm state.—
Sarah Bence,
Verywell Health,
6 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
These include weight gain, obesity, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, cavities, and gout, a type of arthritis.—
Lucy Notarantonio,
MSNBC Newsweek,
7 Nov. 2025
-
Enamel degradation affects nearly half of the world’s population, contributing to cavities, infections, and even systemic health issues such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
5 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Instead, the focus is on schedule reductions to regional and domestic mainline flights that do not travel between our hub airports.—
Deputy News Editor,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Nov. 2025
-
During Amazon's earnings call on Thursday, Jassy used a familiar line when asked about the reductions.—
Annie Palmer,
CNBC,
5 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Depressions.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/depressions. Accessed 12 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share