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

Tech leaders including Elon Musk have characterized it as a critical tool for securing in-demand high-skilled workers, while skeptics believe that many visa recipients displace American workers and depress their wages.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Increases in the value of private companies also boosted returns this year, a change after several years where depressed valuations in private equity and venture capital were a drag.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

But those companies either pay small dividends or none at all, depressing the index’s yield.

Read more on Barron's

Sales in China tumbled 27% as consumers stayed away from bars, hitting the on-trade business, with cognac sales notably depressed, the company said.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

South, where a glut of pine trees has depressed log prices but made the region the most profitable place in North America to make lumber.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

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