depress

[dih-pres]

verb (used with object)

1. to make sad or gloomy; lower in spirits; deject; dispirit.

   Synonyms: sadden, discourage, dishearten

2. to lower in force, vigor, activity, etc.; weaken; make dull.

3. to lower in amount or value.

   Synonyms: cheapen, devalue

4. to put into a lower position.

   to depress the muzzle of a gun.

   Antonyms: elevate, raise

5. to press down.

6. Music.,  to lower in pitch.

depress

/ dɪˈprɛs /

verb

1. to lower in spirits; make gloomy; deject

2. to weaken or lower the force, vigour, or energy of

3. to lower prices of (securities or a security market)

4. to press or push down

5. to lower the pitch of (a musical sound)

6. obsolete,  to suppress or subjugate

Other Word Forms

• depressible adjective
• depressibility noun
• overdepress verb (used with object)
• undepressible adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of depress¹

First recorded in 1275–1325; Middle English depressen, from Anglo-French, Old French depresser, from Latin dēpressus “pressed down” (past participle of dēprimere, equivalent to de- de- + -primere, combining form of premere “to press”); pressure

Word History and Origins

Origin of depress¹

C14: from Old French depresser, from Latin dēprimere from _de- + premere to _press ¹

Synonym Study

See oppress.

Example Sentences

It’s up to you, however, to decide if you want to witness the full effort of his performance from bloody stem to depressing stern.

From Salon

Residents and elected officials say it has been an ongoing struggle to draw outside attention to Last Chance Grade, despite its long-known dangers, because the region is so remote and economically depressed.

From Los Angeles Times

But batting average is nonetheless depressed by the emphasis on home runs and on getting on base, and by the deluge of strikeouts triggered by pitchers throwing harder than ever.

From Los Angeles Times

Those results point to a straightforward conclusion: Ignoring Democratic voters on Gaza depresses enthusiasm and peels away enough support to matter in close races.

From Los Angeles Times

Peacemaker is acutely depressed by the thought that everyone but him is having a terrific life.

From Salon

Related Words

• afflict 
• beat down 
• bother 
• damp 
• dampen 
• daunt 
• discourage 
• dishearten 
• dismay 
• dispirit 
• disturb 
• dull 
• lower 
• reduce 
• sadden 
• sap 
• slow 
• trouble 
• upset 
• weaken