antidepressant

[ an-tee-di-pres-uh nt, an-tahy- ]
/ ˌæn ti dɪˈprɛs ənt, ˌæn taɪ- /
Pharmacology

adjective

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

noun

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

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earnest
full seriousness, as of intention or purpose.
a feeling of dread, anxiety, or anguish.
urgent character; imperativeness; insistence; importunateness.
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Also an·ti-de·pres·sant, an·ti·de·pres·sive [an-tee-di-pres-iv, an-tahy-] /ˌæn ti dɪˈprɛs ɪv, ˌæn taɪ-/.

Origin of antidepressant

First recorded in 1960–65; anti- + depressant

Words nearby antidepressant

anticyclogenesis, anticyclolysis, anticyclone, antidazzle mirror, antidemocratic, antidepressant, antidepressants, antiderivative, antidesiccant, antideuteron, antidiarrheal
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Example sentences from the Web for antidepressants

British Dictionary definitions for antidepressants

antidepressant
/ (ˌæntɪdɪˈprɛsənt) /

noun

any of a class of drugs used to alleviate depression

adjective

of or relating to this class of drugs
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Medical definitions for antidepressants

antidepressant
[ ăn′tē-dĭ-prĕs′ənt, ăn′tī- ]

n.

A drug used to prevent or treat depression.

Other words from antidepressant

an′ti•de•pres′sant null adj.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.

Scientific definitions for antidepressants

antidepressant
[ ăn′tē-dĭ-prĕs′ənt, ăn′tī- ]

A drug used to prevent or treat depression.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Cultural definitions for antidepressants

antidepressants

Drugs that prevent or relieve the symptoms of depression. Various psychological disorders are treated with antidepressants.

notes for antidepressants

Although there are many antidepressant drugs now in use, the best known is Prozac®.
The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.