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

The numbers show the depressing story for the retail public: They typically buy gold only once it’s already risen, and they sell it again after it has fallen.

Read more on MarketWatch

But supply is starting to leak from the for-sale market into the rental business, depressing rents.

Read more on Wall Street Journal

That is consistent with earlier research that found people who deactivate Facebook are less anxious, less depressed and happier with their lives.

Read more on Wall Street Journal

More broadly, pumping more oil depresses prices, creating fiscal headaches.

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That price amounts to about eight times the earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization expected for 2025—a reasonable valuation considering that earnings are now depressed across the chemicals industry.

Read more on Barron's

Related Words

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