antidepressant

American  

[an-tee-di-pres-uhnt, an-tahy-] / ˌæn ti dɪˈprɛs ənt, ˌæn taɪ- /

Also anti-depressant,

adjective

1. of or relating to a substance that is used in the treatment of mood disorders, as characterized by various manic or depressive affects.

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noun

1. Also called energizer, psychic energizer.  any such substance, as a tricyclic antidepressant, MAO inhibitor, or lithium.

antidepressant British  

/ ˌæntɪdɪˈprɛsənt /

noun

1. any of a class of drugs used to alleviate depression

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adjective

1. of or relating to this class of drugs

antidepressant Scientific  

/ ăn′tē-dĭ-prĕs′ənt,ăn′tī- /

1. A drug used to prevent or treat depression.

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Etymology

Origin of antidepressant

First recorded in 1960–65; anti- + depressant

Explanation

An antidepressant is a drug used to treat depression. Unfortunately, many antidepressants have unwanted side effects. Depression is a form of extreme sadness, when you're so sad that it impairs your ability to function. Words starting with anti are the opposite or go against other things. Antidepressants, then, are drugs that fight depression. If you’re depressed, a doctor can prescribe an antidepressant such as Prozac or Zoloft. Antidepressants can improve your mood, but they often have side effects such as weight gain or headaches.

Example Sentences

He points to one study showing that hot-yoga classes can curtail depression more effectively than antidepressant drugs.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 16, 2026

If ketamine’s antidepressant effect owed to, say, inducing neuroplasticity, the drug should still work even if participants were unconscious.

From Slate • Jan. 30, 2026

If you walk into Gilberg’s office demanding an antidepressant prescription, for example, he will suggest you go elsewhere.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 13, 2026

This approach moves beyond symptom-based decision-making and points toward more personalized antidepressant therapy.

From Science Daily • Jan. 4, 2026

They’ve upped his antidepressant, which doesn’t seem to make him any less depressed, but helps him to forget that he is.

From "Challenger Deep" by Neal Shusterman