depress

[ dih-pres ]
/ dɪˈprɛs /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR depress ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used with object)

to make sad or gloomy; lower in spirits; deject; dispirit.
to lower in force, vigor, activity, etc.; weaken; make dull.
to lower in amount or value.
to put into a lower position: to depress the muzzle of a gun.
to press down.
Music. to lower in pitch.

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Origin of depress

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”); see pressure

synonym study for depress

1. See oppress.

OTHER WORDS FROM depress

de·press·i·ble, adjectivede·press·i·bil·i·ty, nouno·ver·de·press, verb (used with object)un·de·press·i·ble, adjective

Words nearby depress

depreciate, depreciation, depreciatory, depredate, depredation, depress, depressant, depressed, depressed area, depressed skull fracture, depressing
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Words related to depress

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

Example sentences from the Web for depress

British Dictionary definitions for depress

depress
/ (dɪˈprɛs) /

verb (tr)

to lower in spirits; make gloomy; deject
to weaken or lower the force, vigour, or energy of
to lower prices of (securities or a security market)
to press or push down
to lower the pitch of (a musical sound)
obsolete to suppress or subjugate

Derived forms of depress

depressible, adjective

Word Origin for depress

C14: from Old French depresser, from Latin dēprimere from de- + premere to press 1
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 depress

depress
[ dĭ-prĕs′ ]

v.

To lower in spirits; deject.
To cause to drop or sink; lower.
To press down.
To lessen the activity or force of something.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.